Band Members: 1
MIKE GRAY - Soprano , tenor and baritone saxophones , 3 in a bar band leader . A native of Leicestershire, Mike taught himself the tenor saxophone at the age of fourteen and shortly afterwards became part of a small jazz and blues band led by the late Bob Kelly, one of the founders of the British skiffle movement.
Moving to Shropshire in the late 1970s he formed his own band Jazz Incorporated, which ran for four years.
After a brief spell in the Excellorators rhythm & blues band he decided to devote his energies to running the legendary bebop band Klactoveedsedstene, which regularly gave critically acclaimed performances throughout the county for the next five years.
Moving to Shropshire in the late 1970s he formed his own band Jazz Incorporated, which ran for four years.
After a brief spell in the Excellorators rhythm & blues band he decided to devote his energies to running the legendary bebop band Klactoveedsedstene, which regularly gave critically acclaimed performances throughout the county for the next five years.
Mike then worked briefly as alto saxophonist and brass arranger for Telford-based soul band Mission Impossible and then began rehearsing with pianist Brian Jones with a view to performing as a duo. A subsequent meeting with guitarist Jim Norris led to the original 3 In A Bar’s first rehearsals in January 1993. The rest is history…..
BRIAN JONES - Piano As a teenager Brian was naturally thrilled by traditional jazz. He embarked on orthodox piano studies but quickly moved to jazz. When living in Kent he joined a rehearsal band which included a youthful Alan Jackson. Brian started pick-up sessions in a New Cross pub which continued to be a centre for enthusiasts. Moving to Merseyside in 1968 he founded the National Giro Jazz Club and became involved in dramatics. In 1983 in Swindon he became involved in the local pick-up band scene. Brian eventually moved to Shropshire in 1986, where he met Mike Gray and became involved in his exploits.
PHIL ASMA - Drums Joined 3 in a Bar in 1997 to extend the original 3 member version of 3 in a Bar. Phil has played with a wide variety of bands covering Blues, Pop, Cabaret and Jazz and even admits to have played some Country and Western music!. He has had many years experience as part of resident bands in the of the Northern club scene. This role involved backing cabaret performers from a wide range of musical disciplines. On moving to Shropshire he worked regularly in several club bands before deciding to devote his time to 3 IN A BAR.
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