Simon Niblock and Elliott Henshaw

Arranger & saxophonist Simon Niblock and drummer & composer Elliott Henshaw have one thing in common: a deep passion for great music.

Through decades of writing, gigging and recording with numerous high-profile artists, bands and shows in the UK and around the world, Simon and Elliott decided to fuse their enthusiasm and experience together into a joint project. So in 2013, Spice Fusion was born and they embarked on the recording of their first album, Trying Too Hard, which showcases an infectious and energetic blend of their many musical influences from jazz to latin, pop to funk, soul to swing. It is performed by some of the greatest musicians in the UK, and features guest stars such as Eric Marienthal, Iain Mackenzie and Annabel Williams.

In 2017, their second album, Trying Hard 2 was released. It features more exciting guest stars, including Andy Snitzer, Capital Voices, David Benoit, Wayne Hernandez, Julie Maguire, Damien Flood, Miranda Wilford and Angie Brown.  

Live Music

The Spice Fusion band consists of core players plus an impressive pool of musicians that we select from, depending on availability and band size requirements. We have, without any doubt, some of the greatest and most talented musicians in the UK who have worked with several icons of the industry, such as Björk, Chaka Khan, Cliff Richard, The Drifters, Duran Duran, Eric Clapton, George Michael, Jamie Cullum, Joss Stone, Paloma Faith, Quincy Jones, Robbie Williams, Shirley Bassey, Tony Hadley, Van Morrison – to name just a few! Our musicians have also performed on numerous TV shows such as The X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent, Strictly Come Dancing, The Royal Variety show – the list goes on!

Our roster of singers are also incredibly talented, including (but not limited to):

  • Iain Mackenzie – male vocalist for The Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra and the BBC Big Band
  • Annabel Williams – vocal coach for The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent, and featured with Al Jarreau at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club
  • Giles Terera – actor (starring in many West End shows), musician, singer, filmmaker 
  • Miranda Wilford – actress (starring in many West End shows and theatres across the UK), singer, choreographer
  • Julie Maguire – actress and singer (doing musical theatre, jazz, rock, pop)
  • Damien Flood – actor and singer (starred in many West End and TV shows including Later With Jools Holland, Strictly Come Dancing, The Jonathan Ross Show and The Graham Norton Show)
  • Sandra Marvin - actress (currently in Emmerdale), singer, presenter

For an overview of some of our musicians and singers, check out our Musicians page.

The Music

Our repertoire is incredibly varied and long. It can include songs from our album Trying Too Hard, as well as songs in Spice Fusion’s ever-growing library. 

Ultimately, the music we play can be tailored to completely suit your individual requirements, including (but not limited to):

  • Pop: from classic 70s pop to the latest hits, anything is possible.
  • Jazz & swing: including jazz standards from Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, as well as modern renditions of Michael Buble to Peggy Lee, Natalie Cole to Paul Anka.
  • Funk: for example, Earth Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau, Daft Punk and beyond.

Band sizes

Spice Fusion is not just one, fixed band – we come in various sizes depending on what is required for the occasion. Additionally, all line-ups can be accompanied by 1-4 male and/or female vocalists. You're really spoilt for choice with us! Just name it, we'll fix the band and set list for you. 

Spice Fusion band sizes

Starting with the largest band-size:

18-PIECE BIG BAND PLUS A 9-PIECE STRING SECTION:

This is the largest version of Spice Fusion:

  • 4 trumpets, 5 saxes, 4 trombones
  • 1 keyboard, 1 guitar, 1 bass
  • 1 drums, 1 percussion
  • 4 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos, 1 contrabass

18-PIECE BIG BAND:

The Spice Fusion big band consists of 18 band members. We've been known to blow people's socks off with this size!:

  • 4 trumpets, 5 saxes, 4 trombones
  • 1, keyboards, 1 guitar, 1 bass
  • 1 drums, 1 percussion

10-PIECE BAND:

Also a popular choice, our 10-piece band is perhaps more convenient for slightly smaller venues (although our 10-piece band has also gigged at enormous venues). But don't be fooled, a smaller size doesn't mean it's less impressive - we still know how to rock the house down!: 

  • 2 trumpets, 2 saxes, 1 trombone
  • 2 keyboards, 1 guitar, 1 bass
  • 1 drums

6-PIECE BAND:

Our 6-piece band is very popular with various artists as well as for hire for private functions, parties and corporate events;

  • 1 trumpet, 1 sax
  • 1 keyboards, 1 guitar, 1 bass
  • 1 drums

QUINTET:

Ooh, we're getting quite intimate here! Our 5-piece band is highly flexible and therefore perfect for all occasions and venues:

  • 1 sax
  • 1 keyboards, 1 guitar, 1 bass
  • 1 drums

MISC:

We've also performed as a quartet and even a trio. Just have a chat with us about what your requirements are. 

Gear

Depending on the venue, specific requirements and the occasion, we can be fully self-sufficient as we can provide band stands, a sound engineer, P.A. and lights as required.

Availability

The band is available for all corporate events and private parties such as weddings and birthdays. We're also available for festivals, theatre shows, concerts and as a supporting band for singers and groups. We can gig in the UK and worldwide - if a gig outside of the UK is required, we can bring key lead players and soloists with us and augment with local musicians or students if needed.

The band is also available for educational seminars, locally and worldwide, covering all aspects of performance, arranging, production and the music business in general.

We can also do remote recording, as most of our musicians play on sessions, in recording studios as well as at home, for many artists around the world. Just contact us for more information. 

flexibility

Nothing beats live music, and it is in this environment that the Spice Fusion band can truly captivate the audience with their big sounds and incredibly funky, soulful and infectious tunes.

 We can work around your budget and occasion, and produce a band with a song-set to suit your requirements.

Spice Fusion is, quite simply, all about great music, performed by superbly talented musicians. 

 If you have any questions or would like to enquire further about the band and the music that we play, please feel free to contact us: