Young jazz musician Jay Phelps will perform with his quartet and special guests at the Harrow Arts Centre on Friday ahead of his new album release, Free As The Birds.

After rising to fame in the MOBO award-winning band Empirical, Jay toured and collaborated with many big names including George Benson, Jamie Cullum and the late Amy Winehouse, as well as legends such as Courtney Pine, Sir John Dankworth and Wynton Marsalis, creative director of New York City’s Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra.

Jay’s new album combines jazz and Brazilian bossa nova. It was born out of an unplanned career break after Jay broke a rib while saving his mother’s dog, who had unexpectedly fallen into water.

As Jay recalls: “I couldn’t play, couldn’t laugh, couldn’t lie down even. It was a disaster. I had to take time out and, luckily, a friend who lived in Thailand was kind enough to loan me her apartment overlooking the sea, complete with a piano. I started to work on new music and, out there, away from everything, I began to feel free.”

Having hosted the late show at London’s world famous Ronnie Scott’s club for over a year before moving to the Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square, Jay Phelps is taking the new show all over the UK.

Audiences can expect a preview of tracks from the new album, performing with his quartet which includes Rick Simpson on piano, Mark Lewandowski on the bass and John Scott on drums.

Harrow Arts Centre, 171 Uxbridge Road, Hatch End, HA5 4EA, Friday, July 7, 8pm. Details: 020 3773 7161