Ruben Fox’s London Brass featuring Theon Cross and Mark Kavuma

Ruben Fox’s London Brass presents some of the greatest exports of the blossoming London jazz scene. Performing together since the age of 12 in their fathers Carnival group, Kinetika Bloco, the Fox brothers, Cross and Kavuma have a natural and homegrown synthesis. Joining them are two of the finest musicians of the generation. Piano virtuoso Mathis Picard and rhythm queen Savannah Harris.

Ruben Fox

Hailing from Brixton, London and residing in Harlem, New York, saxophonist Ruben Fox is one of the brightest young stars on the Jazz scene. Noted for his rich sound, tasteful compositions and sensitive ballad playing, Fox has performed with legends such as Wynton Marsalis, Barry Harris, Jon Batiste, George Coleman, Roy Hargrove, and Johnny O’Neill. He is also associated with many great artists of his generation, Mwenso & the Shakes, Jon Batiste, Russell Hall, Reuben James, Mark Kavuma, and Emmet Cohen to name a few of many.

His sound is rooted in the great tenors of the Jazz age, Coleman Hawkins, Don Byas, Lester Young and Ben Webster. It also hints across a broad spectrum of tenorist’s such as Benny Golson, Sonny Rollins, Wayne Shorter and George Coleman.

Ruben is also the Artistic Director of carnival youth group Kinetika Bloco, a group that was founded in 2001 by his father and has now impacted the lives of hundreds of young people in inner city London.

“It has always been my aim sound like all that i have loved in the past, and all that i will love in the future.”

Theon Cross

Theon Cross is an award-winning tuba player and composer. He is a key component of London’s thriving jazz scene and his unique style of playing has been described as ‘innovative’ and ‘reinventing the tuba’. His debut EP ‘Aspirations’ brought him international attention and garnered him a Jazz FM nomination for best Jazz Newcomer 2016. In 2019 he released his debut album ‘Fyah’ which was met with critical acclaim worldwide charting at no. 1 on the UK official Jazz & Blues charts, no.23 on the US Jazz Billboard and gained high praise from major global publications including Rolling Stone Magazine, Pitchfork, The New York Times, The Guardian and NPR leading him to tour extensively throughout Europe, North America and South America.

Born and raised in London Cross began his musical journey at the age of 8 where he began instrumental lessons at school on the tenor horn. In his mid-teens he switched to the tuba and attended several musical workshops in London including the Brazilian-Styled Carnival group Kinetika Bloco and the Tomorrow’s Warriors lead by Gary Crosby OBE. Within these workshops Cross was able to build up his well known stamina playing for hours in carnival processions such as Notting Hill Carnival whilst also learning how to improvise in various styles and genres. He went on to study at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music & Drama and post graduating has worked with an array of established artists including Jon Batiste, Emile Sande, Kano, Makaya McCraven Courtney Pine and significantly is a core member of the mercury nominated super group Sons of Kemet.

Mark Kavuma

Mark Kavuma is a prominent young Trumpet player on the British jazz scene. Leading his own Quartet,  the 'Floor Rippers' house band and 'The Banger Factory'. As well as, playing with Jean Toussaint's Young Lions, Jazz Jamaica and also one of the brass leaders at London based carnival band Kinetika Bloco.

In 2012 Mark was featured as Guest soloist with Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra having been voted best soloist at the very first 'Essentially Ellington' competition in the UK. 2013  saw Mark involved in the national theatre's production of the Amen Corner, got the opportunity to play with the great Mulatu Astatke, played a support slot for Wayne Shorter at the Barbican (London jazz festival) with A quintet Mark co-leads with Ruben Fox(sax) and also featured on trumpet in the 'El Train', Hoxton Hall (directed by Sam Yates and Ruth Wilson).

In 2014 Mark toured the world featuring in Peter Brooke's production of 'The Suit' and in 2015 he went on the road with the legendary Salif Keita and Les Ambassaduers.

In 2016 Mark got another opportunity to play as guest soloist with Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra performing the Gershwin songbook at the Barbican, before resuming his studies at Trinity College of music. He Featured in Hoagy B Carmichael's production of 'This Joint Is Jumpin' at the Other Palace Theatre (2017) before starting to work on his debut album which was released in 2018 on Ubuntu. Currently Mark is working on his third album as a leader, to be released in summer 2020.