Centre-Line is a co-led quartet (and sometimes quintet), formed by Russell van den Berg and Darren Altman in 2006. Each band member fuses their own diverse influences of jazz, funk and classical music into a dynamic ensemble that strives to create new ways of navigating music, with an instinctive collective consciousness. Playing original music from an ever growing repertoire, the group continually stretches its improvising and interaction skills. With arrangements reflecting contrasting moods and timbres, utilising the groups acoustic and electronic soundscapes, Centre-Line’s group sound delivers a dynamic, empathetic performance. Russell van den Berg is an award-winning, in-demand British saxophonist. He’s as comfortable surrounded by the likes of Kenny Wheeler, as he is being a featured soloist in contemporary big bands or large ensembles. With a growing discography, including four solo albums and many as a sideman, he also leads his own regular groups. As well as an experienced and respected educator and professor from Trinity College of Music, and the Royal Academy, he’s also a composer and arranger, and has acquired several commissions and awards. Darren Altman is a busy, sought after drummer, having worked with some of the top names in the UK jazz world such as Clare Teal, Sax Appeal, Anita Wardell, Bob Martin, The London Jazz Orchestra, Renato D'Aiello, and Jim Mullen. Darren has also drummed for the house band at Ronnie Scott’s, The Rat Pack show in the West End and on European tours, The Pop Idol Big Band with Will Young, and has numerous film and television soundtracks to his credit, including Life and Death of Peter Sellers, in which he also appears. Jez Franks leads his own quartet, and has played alongside the likes of Eddie Parker, Paul Clarvis, Lawrence Cottle, Geoff Gasgoyne, Mick Hutton, Dudley Phillips, and Julian Arguelles. He is a senior guitar lecturer at Leeds College of Music, and at Kingston University, and is visiting guitar examiner at Trinity College in London, the Welsh College of Music and Drama, and the Royal Academy of Music. Jon Harvey is regularly seen playing in many diverse groups. He is a graduate of Trinity College of Music, where he was coached by Russell van den Berg, and he’s worked with Tony Smith and Co, Porpoise Corpus, Jason Rebello, Troy Miller, Jerry Brown, Guy Barker, Ian Shaw, Mike Gorman, Tim Whitehead, and Malcolm Bruce amongst others. Simon Colam is a graduate of classical and jazz studies at the Guildhall. Since then he has developed a career in live and studio music concentrating on jazz, salsa and commercial music. Actively touring the world with groups like Mercury Music Prize nominated London MC Ty, Robert Miles, Soul II Soul, Jazzinho and Brotherly, Simon is currently the accompanist for ITV’s X Factor. Simon is also head of jazz at The Purcell School, and teaches at the Royal Academy of Music Junior Department.