Loose Tubes
Appearing on the London scene in 1984 this big (20 pieces plus) band appealed to (and reflected) the new, smart young audience jazz was attracting at the time, and seemed likely to prove a considerable ‘crossover’ success. It was run as a collective, although trombonist Ashley Slater acted as ‘frontman’ and Django Bates emerged as a main writer for the band. Characterized by clever arrangements, technically slick soloing and an urbane stage-presence, Loose Tubes was acclaimed by many critics and created interest in jazz among sections of the public which had not previously paid the genre any attention. It spawned several other successful units, which indulged in various styles (funk, African, soca, bebop and so on), including Human Chain, Pig Head Son, Lift, the Iain Ballamy Quartet, the Steve Berry Trio, the Tim Whitehead Band, Parker Bates Stubbs and the Julian Argüelles Quartet. By the early '90s the signs were that the parent group had disbanded—although reunions should never be ruled out.