Introducing
We bring you the hottest picks of the swing era. An irresistible mix of fiery violin, lyrical vocals, virtuosic guitar and stomping bass, you won’t want to stay in your seat!
Hot Club Gallois perform at theatres, concert halls and festivals around the UK.
The Music
Conjuring up the swirling dance halls of 1940’s Paris with a heady mix of Django Reinhardt classics, swing-flavoured jazz standards and Hot Club Gallois originals.
Who We Are
Xenia Porteous
Violin
Fast and furious improvisation on a knife edge is Xenia’s idea of a fun night out. Her fledgling career to date has included several TV and radio credits including the BBC, ITV and S4C. She’s performed in some great venues like the O2 in London and the Royal Albert Hall, and plays regularly in a number of musical styles from classical to disco.
Although Xenia grew up with the violin she didn’t study at music college, believing the pressure of earning a living from music would take away the joy of playing. In 2013 in a kind of pre-mid-life crisis she resigned from a lucrative finance job and escaped to South America for 6 months where she realised that music was too important not to be the focus of her life. She set up as Xenia Violin on her return and has been performing and recording ever since. When she’s not playing she enjoys dancing Argentine Tango and raising her family.
Richard Jones
Guitar / Vocals
Richard was a typical teenage bedroom guitarist who soon gained a reputation playing in the pubs and clubs around South Wales.
His horizons expanded into contemporary Jazz, free improvisation and world music while gaining a degree in Jazz from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Whilst there he co-founded modern jazz quartet The Jones O’Connor Group with whom he toured nationally, making several radio and TV appearances as well as two critically acclaimed albums.
More touring and recording followed with Os Sambistas, a Brazilian Roots and Samba group, featuring a notable collaboration with Brazilian percussion master Bosco d’oleveira. Around the same time Richard was invited to join the Welsh Jazz Composers Orchestra as a guitarist/composer. The 18 piece jazz ensemble featured Wales’ most prominent Jazz musicians during their 2006 Tour.
Richard has featured in several TV and radio appearances most notably ‘BBC Children in need 2007’ and S4C’s coverage of Brecon Jazz Festival 2006 and 2008. Festival credits include London Jazz Festival, Edinburgh Festival, Brecon Jazz, Experimentica Festival, Cork Jazz Festival.
Richard is adept in a wide range of musical styles. His session credits range from rap group Goldey Lookin’ Chain to Dance Producer Jean Jacques Smoothie and classical singer Aled Jones. He recently performed in the U.S.with classical baritione Mark Llewellyn Evans.
Richard now teaches Jazz guitar at RWCMD on the same course that earned him his degree. He has also lectured in pop/rock at ICMP and tutored at various Jazz summer schools around the UK.
Luke Archard
Guitar
Luke is a former classical guitarist who developed a passion for the swing style of Gypsy Jazz after a chance encounter with the music during a visit to the New Orleans Jazz festival. Inspired by the melodic beauty, virtuosity and flamboyancy of the gypsy style, he plays with an intensity that is both authentic and evocative. Having played with various gypsy jazz line ups in London, he relocated to South Wales. He now plays full time with Hot Club Gallois.
Mike Morgan
Stick Bass / Vocals
Bass player and singer. Artisan and compulsive maker of things including the instruments he plays on stage. Music has been his downfall and continues to provide endless pleasure in his cosmic confusion.
Unable to work out what he is going to be when he grows up, he looks on the next few years as a bit of an experiment.
Dates To Catch Us On
17 Feb
Narberth Jazz
Plas Hotel, Narberth, SA67 7AB
7 May
Private Event
29 May
Private Event
23 Jul
Private Event
Kind Words
“We were in for a treat… Couples were on their feet in no time… Entrancing music – joie de vivre in spades!” Buzz Magazine
“Hot Club Gallois are an excellent band blending authenticity with creative talent. We enjoyed their music immensely. They have a professional and reassuring manner. I would recommend them without hesitation.” Hywel Williams
For Weddings, Functions, Jazz Festivals and Concerts. Let’s get the party started!
