Tuns of Groove

Tuns of Groove is a new jazz guitar trio whose sound draws from the stylistic approaches of Grant Green and Kenny Burrell, with rhythmic inspiration from drummers Ginger Baker and Max Roach, and improvisational elements influenced by Miles Davis and Wayne Shorter. The band features Graham Smith (guitar), James Stewart (double bass), and Terry Sloan (drums).

Fueled by Tunnock's Caramel Wafers, the band has been rehearsing over the past couple of years and has played a few short sets at local jazz clubs. This event will be their first full-blown headlining gig.

Graham has played in blues bands and acoustic duos for many years, playing gigs throughout Scotland, including Leith Jazz Festival, Callander Jazz and Blues Festival, and Leith and Edinburgh Folk Clubs. Graham plays jazz, rock, blues, folk and classical guitar. His favourite guitarists include Kenny Burrell, Grant Green, BB King and Pat Metheny. He now plays in Tuns of Groove, having met Terry on the St Andrews University Jazz Course. James later joined them on the Double Bass. They've had fun working on arrangements and skills to complement the jazz trio sound.

James went through school and university playing big band jazz, small combos, pop covers, and Jump-Jive with Terry, before defecting to dance and playing Argentine tango. He has a background in classical cello. Inspired by bass legends such as Chambers, Carter, and Jaco, as well as the rhythms of classic salsa and the fusion of jazz with sounds from around the world.

Drummer Terry Sloan has performed in various settings from musicals, jazz orchestras and big bands to disco, funk, pop, rock and new wave groups.

Terry was first introduced to Brazilian frevos and sambas by renowned Canadian ceilidh drummer Jim Walker, and further developed his interest in Brazilian and Latin music in Jafala, the Edinburgh-based international jazz-funk-latin sextet. He also played in the Edinburgh and Napier University Jazz Orchestras. Terry has been with Dias Brazil since its inception in 2005 and in the 90s played in the jump-jive, rock'n'roll 8-piece band The Dreamliners where James played double bass. Terry studied jazz alongside Graham at the University of St. Andrews.