SQUEEZING into the intimate space of the Bridport Arts Centre Jazz Café on May 13 will be the Bristol European Jazz Ensemble, a grooving contemporary jazz band made up of five of the finest jazz players.

The ensemble includes lyrical French alto sax player Julien Alenda, much-in-demand Italian bassist Pasquale Votino,Tony Williams-esque Italian drummer Paolo Adamo and German guitarist Knud Stuwe.

The band is led by Swiss/English trumpeter and composer David Mowat who draws inspiration from Miles Davis, the Far East and Middle East and everywhere in between for his exceptional tunes.

Since their formation in 2013 BEJE have played across the UK, including Birmingham Symphony Hall Jazzlines and a collaboration with Dutch jazz singer Anne Chris who met David in 2015 in Germany at Europe’s premier jazz event JazzAhead.

David played in street bands in the 1980s when esteemed trombonist and Gail Thompson gave him some early gigs.

He co-founded the East Bristol Jazz Club, gigged Europe with the Bollywood Brass Band and wrote and produced a community musical King Cotton.

The melodic contemporary jazz band are based in Bristol, the green capital of Europe and pride themselves on being the city’s best jazz players.

Band member Pasquale Votino recently arrived in Bristol from Italy where he received a classic diploma in double bass at Conservatorio Nicola Sala in Benevento.

His edgy swinging and committed playing was honed from four years playing every night on ocean liners.

Bristol European Jazz Ensemble bring a wide variation of musical styles jazzing up any stage they perform on.

The groups international background and love for travel ensures a rich and vibrant sound brought together by the five nationalities.

n BEJE are performing at Bridport Arts Centre Jazz Café on May 13 at 8pm.