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Loose Tubes

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Loose Tubes, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 29 November 20253 sources
Loose Tubes
Company typeCo-operative collective
IndustryMusic
Founded1983
FounderGraham Collier (workshop leader)
Defunct1990
Headquarters
London
,
United Kingdom
Area served
United Kingdom
Key people
Django Bates, Steve Berry, Chris Batchelor, Eddie Parker, Ashley Slater
ProductsJazz music, albums, live performances
Number of employees
Approximately 21 musicians

Loose Tubes was a British jazz big band and orchestra active during the mid to late 1980s, widely acknowledged as a pivotal force behind the resurgence of British jazz in that decade. The group played a significant role in launching the careers of several leading UK jazz artists such as Django Bates, Iain Ballamy, Eddie Parker, Julian and Steve Argüelles, Mark Lockheart, Steve Berry, Tim Whitehead, and Ashley Slater. In 2015, Loose Tubes reunited to celebrate their 30th anniversary with appearances at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Brecon Jazz Festival, and a sold-out week-long residency at Ronnie Scott's.

Their musical arrangements blended a wide array of styles including minimalism, ECM-inspired ballads, funky blues, Latin rhythms, swing, and passages reminiscent of Carla Bley, all executed with sharp precision and vibrant energy. The band's creative versatility is captured in their two albums released under Polygram’s Import Music Service: the self-titled Loose Tubes (1985) and its follow-up Loose Tubes Too (1986).

Formation

Loose Tubes emerged from a 1983 jazz workshop led by British composer and educator Graham Collier. Early contributions included original compositions by keyboardist Django Bates and bassist Steve Berry. Under the management of Colin Lazzerini, the ensemble adopted the name Loose Tubes and made their London debut in 1984.

The group typically consisted of around 21 musicians and functioned as a co-operative collective without a designated leader. The primary composers were Bates, Berry, and trumpeter Chris Batchelor, with additional writing from flautist Eddie Parker, trumpeters Dave DeFries and John Eacott, and trombonist John Harborne. Trombonist Ashley Slater acted as compère during live shows, earning recognition for his sharp humor before later becoming the frontman for the pop ensemble Freak Power.

Musical style, influence, and ascent

The band's sound incorporated elements from across jazz history alongside genres such as samba and hi-life. Critics widely praised Loose Tubes; Time Out hailed them as "the most important band to appear on the British jazz scene" and "the finest instrumentalists of their generation." The Guardian referred to them as "the most impressive young orchestra to have emerged in London," while The Times highlighted the distinctiveness of their 1985 work. In 1989, readers of The Wire magazine voted them Best UK Band.

Known for their irreverent approach and playful spirit, Loose Tubes infused humor into their performances, which sometimes drew criticism.[1]

Achievements

In 1987, Loose Tubes made history as the first jazz orchestra to perform at the Proms, the BBC’s esteemed annual classical music festival held at the Royal Albert Hall. They collaborated with the Docklands Sinfonietta, toured extensively across the UK under the auspices of the Contemporary Music Network, and maintained a residency at Ronnie Scotts, culminating famously in an impromptu street gig in Soho that lasted until 3 a.m.

Between 1985 and 1989, the band released three albums: Loose Tubes, Delightful Precipice, and Open Letter. Their second album was ranked number 100 in the 2022 Jazzwise list titled 100 Jazz Albums that Shook the World, noted for its fusion of traditional jazz elements with diverse influences.[2] Produced by Teo Macero, Open Letter received acclaim for emphasizing authentic composition and melodic content over prevailing trends.[3] Additionally, a live recording titled Loose Tubes: JazzbucheBerlin 87 was issued.

The ensemble also founded their own label, Loose Tubes Records, which issued albums by affiliated projects including Human Chain—a duo featuring Bates and Steve Argüelles—The Iains quartet led by Iain Ballamy, Tim Whitehead’s quintet, Steve Berry’s trio, as well as a duo comprising Stan Sulzmann and John Taylor performing compositions by Kenny Wheeler.

Disbandment

Loose Tubes ceased operations in 1990, primarily due to difficulties in maintaining financial viability and managing such a large ensemble, challenges that were intensified by the economic downturn in the UK. The collective leadership structure became increasingly unwieldy, leading many members to focus on their individual musical careers. Saxophonist Iain Ballamy reflected that the group faced a choice between substantial transformation or disbanding to enable new artistic directions.

Two decades after their dissolution, in 2010, Django Bates revealed plans to release a live album titled Dancing on Frith Street through his Lost Marble Recordings label. This album features recordings from the band's final live performances during their last week at Ronnie Scott's in 1990 and was made available in September 2010.

Reunion

Loose Tubes reunited in 2014 to celebrate their 30th anniversary, with an emphasis on creating fresh compositions to maintain artistic relevance rather than functioning as a nostalgia act. BBC Radio 3 and Jazz on Three commissioned new pieces from Chris Batchelor, Django Bates, Steve Berry, and Eddie Parker. These premieres took place at the Cheltenham International Jazz Festival on 3 May 2014 alongside selections from their 1980s repertoire. Following this, the band enjoyed a sold-out residency at Ronnie Scott's Club and performed at both the Brecon and Gateshead International Jazz Festivals.

On 10 June 2015, Loose Tubes was honored with the Jazz FM Award for Best Live Experience for their reunion concert at Cheltenham, earning the distinction through a public vote against other prominent contenders.

2014 line up

Flutes: Eddie Parker; Clarinets: Dai Pritchard; Alto/Soprano saxophones: Steve Buckley & Iain Ballamy; Tenor saxophones: Mark Lockheart & Julian Nicholas; Baritone saxophone: Julian Argüelles; Trumpets: Lance Kelly, Noel Langley, Chris Batchelor & John Eacott; Trombones: Paul Taylor, John Harborne, Ashley Slater & Richard Pywell; Bass Trombone: Richard Henry; Tuba: Dave Powell; Keyboards: Django Bates; Guitar: John Parricelli; Bass: Steve Watts; Drums: Martin France; Percussion: Louise Petersen Matjeka

Legacy

The influence of Loose Tubes persists through its alumni who continue to shape the UK music landscape and inspire upcoming artists. Barak Schmool, founder of the F-IRE Collective and former roadie for Loose Tubes, recognizes the band as a significant source of inspiration.

In 1991, Django Bates established Delightful Precipice, an ensemble that included numerous former Loose Tubes members and extended their collaborative spirit under a single bandleader.

Band members

Discography

  • Loose Tubes (1985)
  • Delightful Precipice (1986)
  • Open Letter (1988)
  • Loose Tubes: Jazzbühne Berlin 87
  • Dancing on Frith Street (Lost Marble LM005, 2010) – a live recording captured at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in September 1990
  • Säd Afrika (Lost Marble LM006, 2012) – live performance from Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, recorded September 1990
  • Arriving (Lost Marble LM008, 2015) – compilation of live sessions from Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in 1990 and BBC recordings from 2014

Film and television

  • Loose Tubes at Bath International Festival, May 1986; Green Park Station. Broadcast on BBC TWO, January 1987
  • Celebration: Loose Tubes, a documentary chronicling the band’s inaugural national tour, including performances and workshops. Directed by Christopher Swann; produced by Granada Television for Channel Four, January 1987
  • Appearance on Wogan, BBC ONE, 7 September 1987, performing "Sticklebacks" from the Open Letter album

Radio

  • "Loose Tubes @ Pendley Manor Festival 1985". A 55-minute set featuring Chip, Delightful Precipice, Would I Were, Rowingboat Delineation Egg, Full Moon, Stanley Shuffle. Aired on BBC Radio 3's "Magnum Opus" in March 1986.
  • "Magnum Opus". Live performance by Loose Tubes at Logan Hall, London. Included tracks such as Sad Africa, Sunny, Delightful Precipice, Blue We Are, Eden Express, Mo mhuirnin ban, Sosbun Brakk, Hermeto's Giant Breakfast, Psycopath-a-go-go, Accepting suites from strangers, Arriving, Mister Zee. Broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on 1 May 1987.
  • "The Proms 1987: Loose Tubes", featuring compositions by BERRY, PARKER, BATES, BATCHELOR, DEFRIES. Aired on BBC Radio 3 on 30 August 1987.

See also

External links

  1. ↑ Interview with Adrian Reid in Inside British Jazz: Crossing Borders Of Nation, Race And Class by Hilary Moore, pp. 126-127.
  2. ↑ Newey, John (ed.) Jazzwise presents...The 100 Jazz Albums that Shook the World (2022), p. 6
  3. ↑ Quoted on Django Bates homepage, Easyweb.easynet.co.uk, accessed 19 September 2009

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