Tesseract

Tesseract (4D cube)

“Tesseract” is a democratically run jazz ensemble, formed in 2011, featuring the composing and playing talents of bassist Chris Hyson, saxophonist Matt Anderson, pianist Sam Leak and drummer Chris Draper.

 

 

 

CHRIS DRAPER

A current student at Birmingham Conservatoire, Chris is very active as a drummer in both Birmingham and London. His playing credits include having performed in bands with Jean Toussaint (including a gig reviewed in the Jazzwise August 2010 Issue), Femi Temowo, Mark Lockheart, Zhenya Strigalev, Liam Noble, John Dankworth, John Parricelli, Steve Waterman, Jim Hart, and Gerard Presencer. He has performed widely throughout the UK at venues including Ronnie Scotts, Pizza Express Dean Street, and the Queen Elizabeth Hall. He currently holds the Birmingham Conservatoire “Tony Levin Drum Prize” and endorses ACS Hearing Protection & In-Ear Monitoring, and Roland UK.

SAM LEAK

Sam Leak is a pianist and composer described by broadcaster Helen Mayhew as “one of the brightest young stars in the Jazz piano galaxy, a heavenly improviser and a brilliant prospect for the future.” He has performed with his own projects at a host of UK venues notably including Ronnie Scotts, Pizza Express Dean Street and The Vortex. His debut album “Aquarium,” recorded by his quartet of the same name (formed in 2008), has been described in Jazzwise Magazine as “a mature and often sumptuous statement of intent” (Daniel Spicer), and by internationally renowned pianist John Taylor as “A set of absorbing compositions from Sam Leak. Excellent playing and interaction in the band – with intelligent use of space, colour and dynamics. A fine achievement.” Leak has performed widely throughout the UK, and has played in the bands of musicians including, amongst others, Ray Warleigh, Anita Wardell and Martin Speake.

CHRIS HYSON

Currently based in Wales Chris regularly plays in numerous groups at some of the best known venues around the UK alongside musicians such as Martin Speake, Barry Green, Mornington Lockett, Geoff Simkins, Nathaniel Facey, George Hart and Dave Cliff. He is an ex-student of Mick Hutton, and a 2011 student of the Royal Academy Of Music. ‘His music exhibits a remarkable self-assurance’ – Eric Rezsnyak (NewYork City Newspaper)