Formed in early 2006 after a series of informal jam sessions at a house in Manchester, The Magic Hat Ensemble take jazz standards and re-work them into odd, surprising, swinging arrangements. The band endeavor to play wherever they can and have been seen in many, many jazz venues throughout the UK. Steve Chadwick - Cornet / Trumpet Tony Ormesher - Guitar Andrzej Baranek - Piano Nick Blacka - Bass Rob Turner - Drums "The Magic Hat Ensemble have their own voice with many different inflections from Monk, Shelley Manne, even Oscar Peterson and they put it all together with a unique twist." - Jerry Bergonzi "The Magic Hat Ensemble is a startlingly good jazz group. All the members are accomplished soloists, who seem to really improvise rather than regurgitate learnt licks. More importantly, they are all “team-players” who contribute to making a unique sound. The music seems to be tight and loose at the same time joyful and utterly unpretentious. The arrangements of often familiar material are both ingenious and intriguing and are perfect launching pads for inspired improvisation. This is one of the most refreshing groups I’ve heard in ages." - Alan Barnes "The Magic Hat Ensemble have built a solid name for themselves as a cracking live unit around the UK. Offering a youthful and often irreverent take on standards asserted through incredibly tight rhythmic playing and cheeky metric modulations the result is pulsating post bop given a refreshing boot up the behind. Led by Steve Chadwick on cornet with pianist Andrzej Baranek, guitarist Tony Ormesher, bassist Nick Blacka and drummer Rob Turner this is a dynamic and hugely listenable band worth catching live" - Jazzwise “...(an) adventurous spirit is still afoot in British jazz in groups like The Magic Hat Ensemble....(This Conversation is Over is) a highly individual collection of standards.” - Geoffrey Smith (BBC R3 Jazz Record Requests)
