saxophones: Matt Wates, Andy Mac, Bob Sydor, Vasilis Xenopolous, Simon Bates
trumpets: J.P. Gervasoni, Henry Amberg-Jennings, Steve Fishwick, Paul Jordanous
trombones: Patrick Johns, Tim Smart, Adrian Fry, Nathan Gash
piano: Geof Castle
bass: Rob Statham
Drummer Lloyd Ryan has had an exciting career spanning nearly four decades as a performer and educator. He is widely recognised as an expert of the big band style of drumming, having worked extensively with the Ken Mackintosh, Ray Ellington, Bob Miller and Edmundo Ros Big Bands, as well as major recording artists like Matt Munro, Tony Christie, PJ Proby, Cilla Black, Brotherhood of Man and The Platters. Lloyd is also one of the few UK drummers to have worked alongside the legendary Buddy Rich, as his support act at the Lewisham Jazz Festival in 1986. Lloyd is regarded as a prolific educator with many of his students having gone on to achieve international success. These include, Phil Collins, Derrick McKenzie (Jamiroquai), Nick Simms (Cornershop), Graham Broad (Roger Waters, Tina Turner) Keith Hartley (John Mayall) and Ralph Salmins (Robbie Williams).
'Drivin' Force' is the realisation of a life-long ambition to record his own big band album and desire to introduce the genre to a new audience. Through several years of planning, rehearsal time was kept to a minimum, with most tracks being complete on first takes. A new big band album is a rarity these days and Lloyd has recruited some of Britain's finest, to produce an album that has all the hallmarks of any classic American big band of the 60s and 70s.
