Dan McConkey

Dan McConkey’s is a saxophonist and composer based in London. His compositions and settings showcase his warm, lush tenor sound and a highly melodic improvisational approach. Dan’s style draws on Folk and Contemporary European traditions as well as more straight-ahead jazz writing. Key influences include Ben Van Gelder, Joe Lovano and Bill Frisell. Dan was shortlisted for the 2023 Peter Whittingham Jazz Prize, and is planning his debut release for Summer 2024. Dan is joined by Josh Walker-Martin on drums, Sam Ingvorsen and Theo Malka-Wishart on Bass and Charlie Heywood on guitar. They are all exceptional improvisers and artists in their own right, and are in demand musicians performing on the jazz scene across the UK and in Europe. Growing up in rural Sussex, Dan was enthralled by the traditional music he found locally. The purest form of this involves a singer performing a traditional song unaccompanied, often simply stood up from where they were sitting in the pub at the time. These powerful melodies make perfect frameworks for improvisation – their strength honed as they were passed through many different ears and voices. ‘Beautiful, big wide sound’ - Malcolm Edmonstone ‘Authoritative and highly melodic’ - Barry Green ‘The tone is intimate and makes you listen’ - Dave O’Higgins