In 2019 I auditioned a guitarist, Andy Davey, for The Nick Tann Trio. I’d formed the Trio with drummer Guy Siviour and double bass giant Bastien Terraz after quitting the singer/songwriter part of my life. Guy was a bass student of mine until I asked him to play congas for me. We picked up some Sofar gigs and played some crazy venues. Guy remains one of my favourite musicians to play with and one of the best to hang with.

Andy and I had played for the Celtic rock band Coast on their Scottish & Danish tour in 2013. We got on really well and shared a few adventures.

After the audition,  Andy said “Sorry, but what I really want is a nice tight, funky little band” and declined to join us – but he had planted a seed. I decided then to evolve the Trio into something funkier.

I wanted a keyboard player and contacted Jez Austin, who I had played with at jam nights in Southampton. I was chuffed when he agreed to join. Jez is a proper music geek, and his creativity and natural talent has been instrumental in shaping our sound. The icing on the cake was securing Chris Ricketts on trombone. Chris is renowned as a great jazzer and a safe pair of lips!  Nick Tann and the Whole Family was born!

Ru Coleman replaced Bastien on bass and then in turn was replaced by Ben Williams, who I last played with in the 1990s in the funk band People. Ben is a force of nature and one of the nicest people on this planet. He and Guy make the most interesting, fun and dynamic rhythm section you can experience.

We are centred in the original jazz, funk and groove camp playing a mixture of funky versions of my solo stuff and brand new songs. Our studio recordings can be found on Spotify and live performances are where we really pop!

I am so excited to be back in 2024 with the Whole Family. We have tons of new funky songs for you, and we’ll be introducing our newest member, guitarist Andy Davey…

“Nick Tann and The Whole Family have not just embraced change; they’ve embraced a musical metamorphosis, and the result is a genre-defying experience that promises to redefine the boundaries of soulful expression. Get ready for a tantalising blend of tradition and innovation with every note from this remarkable ensemble.” So said Chatgpt….