Jazz at Boaters has been established since 1990 and is now one of the longest running jazz residencies in London. The Boaters Inn is a picturesque pub situated on the banks of the River Thames in Kingston, and is famous for it's wide selection of real ales and home cooked food.
Mornington has been at the forefront of the UK jazz scene for over 30 years. One of Britain's finest tenor saxophonists, he studied at Dartington College of Arts, before moving to London to do a post graduate course in jazz at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
He was a member of Jim Mullen's quartet and also played with Ronnie Scott's band from 1990 during which time he toured extensively throughout he UK and abroad. His talents have been called on to work with a host of international artists when they have visited the UK, including Jimmy Smith, Arturo Sandoval, Dave Weckl, Bernard Purdie, Jon Faddis and Jack DeJohnette.
Between 2000 and 2010, Mornington was busy working with the late Martin Drew (famous for his long term associations with Ronnie Scott and Oscar Peterson), co leading their group "Celebrating the Jazz Couriers" with whom he made 4 critically acclaimed albums and won the 2002 British Jazz Award for best small group.
He played with the various groups of legendary British jazz pianist Stan Tracey for 15 years and has also worked with some of Britain's finest jazz singers such as Claire Martin, Sarah Jane Morris and Ian Shaw.
Mornington has been a hugely supportive figure in the longevity of Boaters as a jazz venue, and has probably played here more times than any other guest since the gig began in 1990, so it is always a pleasure to welcome him back. He is joined tonight by Simon Carter on piano, Laurence Cottle on bass and Sophie Alloway on drums.