About Us

Occasional Jazz in action!

Having met in Manchester in October 2004 as members of a local Big Band we decided to form a jazz duo to perform at venues such as bars and restaurants around the city. We developed a wide repertoire of numbers based on our personal preferences. A fellow band member invited us to play at his wedding reception in July 2005 and Occasional Jazz was born. Our success at that first performance encouraged us to broaden our perspectives and offer to perform at a wider range of occasions.
Alex Quinn

Alex Quinn - Vocals/Tenor Saxophone

Alex began to play music at the age of nine, learning the clarinet and singing in school. He began to teach himself tenor saxophone whilst at secondary school and soon developed a taste for soul, funk, jazz and blues. Alex was saxophonist and occasional vocalist for the Brass Monkeys who featured in the BBC's Music Live concerts in 2000.
Adam Byron

Adam Byron - Piano

Adam has been playing piano since the age of eight, developing a keen interest in jazz and blues after joining a local big band while at school. At university, Adam was pianist for the jazz sextet The Pretty Small Band, as well as for the University of Warwick Big Band. Since beginning a PhD at Manchester in 2004, Adam has worked with Alex both in the Manchester Big Band and in creating Occasional Jazz.