Jaffa Rose are a six-piece group of Warwick University students who describe themselves as a jazz influenced band who rock. A Rock-Jazz hybrid monster But what exactly is this new genre and how was this rock-jazz hybrid monster created? Drummer Steve Kiddle explains: "It was an accident really, Nick wanted to play jazz but we all came from more blues and rock backgrounds. We started off as an acoustic jazz quartet, now we just play rock with the techniques and mentality that we first used to play jazz."
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Marshaled by evil dual saxophone playing mastermind Nick Dugdale, the sextet are aged from 18-20 and all hail from outside Warwickshire - meeting up when they began their studies at Warwick.
 | | Nick Dugdale plays the Sax |
Originally they were a quartet, playing jazz standards and a few instrumental originals. Then Anna and Laurie were discovered through Warwick University's Blues Jazz & Soul Society and Jaffa Rose were born. The group line up: Stephen Henry (keyboard), Anna Frodsham (vocals), Steven Kiddle (drums), Laurie Ainley (guitar), Rowan Gifford (bass), Nick Dugdale (saxophone). Jaffa Minute? Their debut EP Jaffa Minute? was recorded at Woodbine Studios in Leamington Spa in November 2005, but a mix-up almost left them studio-less:
 | | Stephen Henry on keyboard |
"We were unbelievably lucky, our recording day was double booked so we had to find a new studio and fast," says Steve. "John at Woodbine absolutely saved us at the last minute. And I think the result was better than anything we could have imagined. "It was the first time we had really heard ourselves and you always wonder whether the music you create is one big in joke that no one else will get. We recorded and mastered that EP in one 8 hour session, with all live takes. I think the EP captured our sound perfectly." Influences
 | | Anna Frodsham |
With the likes of Soweto Kinch, the White Stripes, Eels, Nick Drake, Radiohead and the Sugar Hill Gang cited amongst their influences, it's clear Jaffa Rose have a more unusual sound than most bands in our region. But how cram all their influences into one group? Steve "Each person came into the band with a different angle on music. You can fit as many styles of music into a track as you want, as long as you give each bit time to develop and that there is something linking them to give some continuity." The Warwick Uni scene? Jaffa Rose are part of the rich tapestry of the burgeoning Warwick University music scene.
 | | Laurie Ainley and Rowan Gifford |
"The great thing about Warwick University is the variety of live music available. From stadium rock to jazz to grindcore, whatever you want to hear it will have." And what about after the band members finish their studies? Will they stay together? "The problem is that several people in the band have corporate ambitions, so its hard to say. I think it would be a shame for Jaffa Rose to die so soon, its something we will undoubtedly decide at the last possible minute. Visit the Jaffa Rose website to find out more about the band and where to see them live - www.jaffarose.co.uk How to get featured? ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Coventry and Warwickshire's Band of the Month feature aims to showcase the best local musical talent. If you think you and/or your band are worthy enough of a feature then get in contact with us.
… Or use the postal address below. All we require is a short biography, a couple of decent quality colour images (in jpeg format) and a copy of your music. | 
