Springate’s Jazz Tour

DAN Springate (SU 2013-15), who plays bass in seven-piece jazz group The Ben Cipolla Band, has recently been on tour – travelling by National Express coach.

Throughout November, Dan joined frontman Ben and five other bandmates on a tour of the south of England with dates in London, Bristol Cheltenham and Cirencester. Remarkably, the tour was accomplished entirely using National Express coaches in order to save money since every member of the band is currently either a student, or taking a gap year.

The band, fronted by former St John’s student Ben Cipolla, was formed when its members met at South West Music School. They got their first break when Clare Teal heard them busking and invited Ben to join her on stage at the Marlborough Jazz Festival 2012. They have played the festival every year since, last year winning the coveted ‘best newcomer’ award as voted by festival goers.

The tour was for the promotion of their new EP, Guest House, which can be downloaded here.