Tom Ford: Residency

Genre-Defying Jazz, Funk & Improvisation

Tom Ford brings his wide-ranging musical influences to Toulouse Lautrec for a new monthly residency driven by improvisation, curiosity and fearless creative expression.

Moving fluidly between jazz, funk and soul, the music pays tribute to artists as varied as The Police, The Smiths, Allan Holdsworth and Milton Nascimento. Rather than being restricted by genre, Tom uses these influences as a springboard for something distinctly his own: open, spontaneous music that continues to evolve with every performance.

Each instalment of the residency will offer something different, reflecting Tom’s continual pursuit of creative growth and change.

With support from the Oscar Williams Trio

Led by London-based drummer and composer Oscar Williams, this exciting young trio brings together three musicians from the Royal Academy of Music, performing original compositions and imaginative arrangements that blend contemporary jazz with folk influences.

Drawing inspiration from artists including Bill Frisell, Julian Lage, Pat Metheny, Mike Walker and Lionel Loueke, Oscar’s compositions place melody, groove and storytelling at the heart of the music, giving the trio its own distinctive sound.

Having first met at the Royal Academy of Music, the musicians quickly established a residency at Camden’s Lock Tavern, where they developed a repertoire combining Oscar’s original music with compositions by their favourite artists. The trio now performs regularly across London, including appearances at Green Note and Oliver’s Jazz Bar.

Join Oscar, Toby and Zaki at Toulouse Lautrec for an evening showcasing three emerging talents from London’s contemporary jazz scene.

About Tom Ford

Tom Ford has been a steady member of the UK jazz scene for the past 10 years having regularly performed at Ronnie Scotts, Jazz Cafe, 91 living room and more as well as being a regular sideman for Reuben James, Jas Kayser and Jay Phelps. He has also been welcomed into the US and European jazz scenes respectively touring and recording with Chris ‘daddy’ Dave’s drumhedz, Keyon Harrold, Pet Eldh’s Projekt Drums amongst others. Outside of jazz he also writes and produces for many people in both the jazz and commercial world, having worked across the world in LA, NY, Europe and Brazil.

About the Oscar Williams Trio

Oscar Williams is a London-based drummer and composer whose versatility has taken him from Glastonbury Festival to performances alongside leading jazz musicians including Gareth Lockrane, Tom Ollendorff and Mike Outram. A student at the Royal Academy of Music, he has also performed with internationally renowned artists Dave Holland, Chris Potter and Ingrid Jensen.

Toby Evans is a London-based guitarist and composer who graduated with First Class Honours from the Royal Academy of Music, receiving the Benjamin Doniger Award. He has performed with the Sam Glaser Quintet, Boreal Sun and Parliamentary Jazz Award-winning ensemble Ubunye, with appearances at KOKO Camden and PizzaExpress Jazz Club Soho.

Zaki Osahn is a rising bassist from South West London and a student at the Royal Academy of Music. Known for his versatility and creative approach to improvisation, he has performed with leading jazz musicians including Jasper Høiby, Alex Ridout, Giacomo Smith, Reuben Fox and Deschanel Gordon.