Sam Jesson

Few drummers on today’s UK jazz scene combine warmth, detail and drive quite like Sam Jesson. Originally from rural Leicestershire, he grew up playing in church bands and school groups before studying jazz at Birmingham Conservatoire. That grounding gave him both the technical fluency and open-eared curiosity that now define his work.

As leader of the Magpie Trio, with George Crowley on saxophone and Tom Farmer on bass, Jesson explores the chamber-like intimacy of the classic jazz trio while twisting it into something fresh. Their repertoire takes cues from Ahmad Jamal and other piano-less ensembles, balancing clarity and space with bursts of rhythmic invention. A national tour in 2019 helped establish the trio as one of the most distinctive small groups on the circuit.

Jesson’s playing is conversational and responsive, rooted in groove but rich in colour. His tone and timing reveal a deep respect for jazz history and a keen awareness of contemporary sound.

Away from the stage he is also an educator, promoter and organiser, known for fostering community through workshops and independent gigs. With his recent live album and growing collaborations, Sam Jesson continues to shape modern British jazz with sensitivity, integrity and imagination.

Jesson’s most visible project is the Magpie Trio, where he leads from the drums alongside saxophonist George Crowley and bassist Tom Farmer. The trio’s repertoire draws crystal clear inspiration from the trio tradition of Ahmad Jamal, while also re-imagining that legacy with fresh arrangements and a contemporary sensibility. A 17-date tour in 2019 underlined his ambition as a leader.

His playing is marked by a polished sense of groove, a sharp ear for phrasing in ensemble settings and a commitment to listening as much as playing. Jesson has spoken of his early influences in the church band and school ensembles, and of a lengthy period of health challenges that slowed him down but enriched his perspective.

Sam Jesson is a British jazz drummer, composer and bandleader whose work has quietly shaped the UK jazz scene. Hailing from near Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, he studied jazz at Birmingham Conservatoire and later moved to London, where he quickly became known for his rhythmic precision and creative curiosity.

He leads the Magpie Trio with saxophonist George Crowley and bassist Tom Farmer. Their sound draws inspiration from Ahmad Jamal’s legendary trios while reinventing that spirit through playful arrangements and a modern edge. A major UK tour in 2019 highlighted Jesson’s skill as both drummer and organiser.

Jesson’s playing blends groove with sensitivity. He listens deeply, shapes momentum naturally and approaches rhythm as a conversation rather than a backdrop. His work reflects both his early experiences in church music and the influence of modern masters from Elvin Jones to Brian Blade.

Outside of performance, Jesson is also active as an educator and promoter. He runs workshops, curates jazz sessions and supports new musicians finding their voice.

With a live album from the Magpie Trio and new collaborations in motion, Sam Jesson continues to define a thoughtful and expressive path in contemporary British jazz.