About TBJQ

TBJQ is not only well known for high quality music and exceptional service, but also for having a huge amount of fun together.  Each member brings not only a unique musical gift but also character to the band.  Here are some short introductions to each of us... 

Tim Boniface - Piano, Saxophones, Clarinet, Trumpet

Leader of TBJQ since the outset, Tim is an accomplished soloist & accompanist largely in mainstream jazz but also gospel, funk and anything else that sounds fun.  He has considerable experience playing and recording with a rich variety of jazz musicians in many different styles, well as a recent venture into big band arranging and conducting, but he enjoys TBJQ more than anything else.

Tim works for Ichthus Christian Fellowship in South East London and with the Lantern Arts Centre in Raynes Park, where he runs 'The Lantern Singers', an informal group of singers whose primary achievement is coping with an energetic Tim every Tuesday. Tim also teaches saxophone and trumpet privately.  For information on TBJQ or anything else, contact Tim at tim_jazz@yahoo.com

Kirsty Mitchell - Vocals

Since 2003, Kirsty has fronted the TBJQ with her versatile singing. From beautiful ballads to exciting dynamic swing, she is an essential part of the bands unique sound and performance. 

Kirsty has returned to the UK in 2008 from a year in Costa Rica, where amongst other things she could be found singing in San Jose's Jazz Cafe.  She arrived back just in time to record the band's brand new album.

In addition to her work with TBJQ Kirsty is experienced in live duo work with various accompanists, writes superbly crafted songs in many genres, and currently fronts the new band 'Samedi' with Tom on drums.

Ben Newton - Bass 

 Reviewed as a "delightfully grooveful bassist" with "just the right amount of flair and flourish", Ben continues to provide the smooth moving bass line central to the quartet sound, and perfectly sampled on the most recent album.  Ben and Tim started their first jazz band in 1999, and Ben remains an irreplaceable part of this band's distinctive sound and character.

He also maintains the band website and inexhaustibly publicises TBJQ in the Midlands.  In addition, his own brand of comic genuis invariably finds it's way ino the many video diaries of TBJQ gigs and travels.  We are wondering whether anyone will discover these hidden masterpieces.

Ben is also currently workng in Birmingham on a PhD in pain management.

Tom Early - Drums

Since the beginning, Tom Early has powered TBJQ with his wonderful drumming.  Exciting for audiences and a solid rhythmic foundation for the quartet, Tom is irreplaceable in the band as a personality and a superb musician.  The unique sound of the TBJQ is unimaginable without Tom! 

He has recently graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, with an honours degree in jazz drumming, and now teaches and performs, mostly in and around Surrey and London. Tom can also be found writing his own musical, penning and recording new songs with Kirsty for their band 'Samedi', and hitting cymbals after pantomime jokes during the winter.

Find out more about Tom at www.tomearly.com

Henry George – Guitar

A multi-disciplinary and multi-instrumental musician, with extensive live, touring and session experience, Henry joined TBJQ in  2007 - and we haven’t looked back since!
Henry’s energetic and sensitive guitar playing has allowed TBJQ to considerably expand our repertoire, especially in giving a chance for saxophone led pieces, with Henry taking over the chordal and rhythmic role of the piano.  It's in this role he features on 3 tracks of the new album, 'The Summer Wind', 'Sweet Georgia Brown', and 'The Sunny Side of the Street'.  One of these days, Hen hopes to persuade TBJQ to play some Jackson.  Tim remains in steadfast opposition to the idea.

Henry leads Ichthus Lee Green Church in South East London.