Ruben Fox, Gareth Lockrane (solo), and Tjoe Man Cheung’s NTBM present a powerful line-up for May’s Jazz In The Round, showcasing some of the most exciting voices in contemporary jazz.
Jazz In The Round is at the forefront of new music, offering a platform for emerging artists alongside established names.
Its flagship in-the-round night takes place monthly at The Cockpit in London’s Marylebone and has become one of the most respected nights in the Capital’s jazz calendar. Each event features three sets: an Emergence slot for new talent, a solo performance exploring new directions, and a headline set from leading artists in the scene.
Beyond its monthly programme, Jazz In The Round also curates pop-up events, festival stages, and shows for the EFG London Jazz Festival, maintaining a strong commitment to grassroots development and artist support. It is a Cockpit Production and a proud partner of One Jazz.
Follow @jazzintheround for updates.
Tickets available at thecockpit.org.uk
Ruben Fox
From the streets of Brixton to the jazz clubs of Harlem, Ruben Fox brings a deeply soulful and dynamic approach to the tenor saxophone. Drawing on the traditions of swing and blues while pushing contemporary boundaries, his performances are both virtuosic and expressive.
A Brixton-born saxophonist, Fox has become a leading voice in both the UK and US jazz scenes. Raised in a musical family, he began performing at age 10 with Kinetika Bloco, a carnival ensemble founded by his father, setting the foundation for a lifelong journey in music. A former Tomorrow’s Warriors alumnus, he studied at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and later at The Juilliard School in New York, developing a rich and versatile sound.
His influences span tenor greats such as Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, Lester Young, and Sonny Rollins, while his own voice remains firmly contemporary. Fox has collaborated with artists including Wynton Marsalis, Jon Batiste, Roy Hargrove, Barry Harris, Reuben James, and Mark Kavuma. His debut album Introducing…Ruben Fox (2021), recorded in a single day in New York, was widely praised for its blend of classic jazz sensibility and modern emotional depth.
Gareth Lockrane (solo)
Gareth Lockrane began playing flute at age 10 and discovered jazz as a teenager through a wide-ranging love of records spanning Cannonball Adderley, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Charlie Parker, alongside blues and rock guitarists such as B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Clapton.
He studied jazz at the Royal Academy of Music in London, learning from Stan Sulzmann, John Thomas, and Eddie Parker, and later trained in New York with Joe Lovano, Dick Oatts, and Jim McNeely. His career has included work as a performer, bandleader, and composer across an extraordinary range of projects.
Lockrane has collaborated with artists including Quincy Jones, Dick Oatts, Tom Cawley, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Nikki Iles, Reuben James, Lianne La Havas, Michael Kiwanuka, Seal, and Corinne Bailey Rae. His work also extends into film, featuring on scores such as King of Thieves (2018) and The Laundromat (2019).
He leads several acclaimed ensembles, including Grooveyard, winners of Best European Jazz Group at the Granada Jazz Festival, and his own big band, known for its rich orchestration and groove-led writing. He is also deeply involved in music education, working with the Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, and Trinity Laban.
Tjoe Man Cheung’s NTBM (Not-To-Be-Missed)
NTBM is a London-based fusion jazz collective led by Hong Kong guitarist Tjoe Man Cheung, featuring Ben Crane (bass), James Morgan (drums), Grifton Forbes-Amos (trumpet), and Marco Marotta (tenor saxophone).
Blending Western jazz traditions with East Asian influences, NTBM has built a strong reputation through sold-out shows at venues such as Jazz:Refreshed and Ronnie Scott’s, as well as a UK tour supported by Arts Council England. The group has also gained international recognition, including features on BBC Radio 2’s The Jazz Show with Jamie Cullum. Their debut album NEON is set for release in April 2026.