Noel McCalla Quartet

Smooth Groove Originals & Soulful Standards

Step into an evening of rich soul, jazz and groove as the extraordinary Noel McCalla and his brilliant quartet return to Toulouse Lautrec Jazz Club.

Renowned for his expressive voice and magnetic stage presence, Noel delivers a vibrant set blending groove-driven originals with timeless classics. Expect effortless transitions from intimate, velvet-soft phrasing to soaring, funk-infused power, as he reimagines songs by Curtis Mayfield, Al Jarreau, Al Green and Marvin Gaye. A highlight of the night is his beautifully nuanced, jazz-tinged interpretation of Sting’s Fragile.

Alongside these classics, Noel’s original material shines, with standout tracks like Sleepless, Prove It and The Real Thing showcasing his song writing depth. True to the spirit of live jazz, the performance carries a playful, improvisational edge, with moments of spontaneity and storytelling woven throughout.

About the Artists

Noel McCalla – Vocals
With a career spanning decades, Noel McCalla has established himself as one of the UK’s finest soul and jazz vocalists. Beginning in the 1970s with the band Moon, he went on to build a successful solo career and toured with Sniff ’n’ the Tears, contributing to the iconic hit Driver’s Seat.

He later fronted the Morrissey-Mullen Band and spent over 19 years as lead vocalist with Manfred Mann’s Earth Band. His latest album, Count All Your Blessings (2022), continues to showcase his signature blend of soul, jazz and groove.

“A confident, graceful and dynamic singer” — Independent on Sunday
“A glowing set… spine-tingling falsetto and careering funk” — The Guardian

Tim Cansfield – Guitar
Tim Cansfield guitar was born in Trinidad. A self taught musician, this enigmatic and self-effacing genius is the first choice of many recording artists, including the Bee Gees, Steve Winwood, Elton John, Heaven 17, Billy Preston, Chaka Khan, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Annie Lennox, Seal and many more.

Nic France – Drums
Since moving to London in 1980, Nic has been one of the UK’s most in-demand drummers performing with, among others, Ian Carr’s ‘Nucleus’, Ronnie Scott, John Taylor, Jim Mullen, Bobby Wellins, Mose Allison, Billy Cobham, Django Bates and John Parricelli. He was also a founding member of ‘Loose Tubes’.

Henry Thomas – Bass
Henry “King Thumb” Thomas is a London-based versatile bass player (electric, fretless, double bass) known for co-presenting the 1980s BBC show Rockschool. Active since the early 80s, he is a prominent session musician, educator, and live performer who has worked with artists like Paul Weller, Ginger Baker, and Gloria Gaynor, while also playing on Rockschool exam pieces.