From Baker Street to Respect, Snake Davis is one of the jazz world’s best kept secrets. He is a saxophonist of almost unparalleled gifts who has played with the best in the business through a career spanning three decades.

See him live at The Brook on Thursday.

It wasn’t until he reached the age of 20 that he picked up his first saxophone. He enrolled on the diploma course in jazz and light music at Leeds College of Music funded by busking and gig money. It was here that he met and made many of his life long friends and gained the great experience of disciplined ensemble playing.

The much loved “Snake Davis and his Alligator Shoes”, the nine piece soul band, were formed, playing 60’s soul music with the sax taking the vocal parts.

After college, Snake spent several years travelling, playing on cruise boats briefly setting up home in Brooklyn getting tuition from hot players and visiting some of the best jazz clubs in America.

Back in England, he joined the soul revue band “Zoot and the Roots” started his long career as a session musician and first met Lisa Stansfield who he toured the world with.

To date, Snake Davis has recorded on more than 400 tracks for over 60 artists including M-People and The Eurythmics.

See the-brook.com