Cambridge Jazz Festival are proud to welcome multi-award winning composer and trombonist, Dennis Rollins MBE as Artist in Residence.

​​

Cambridge University Jazz Orchestra (CUJO) is an assemblage of the top student jazz musicians in Cambridge. CUJO prides itself on being a fully student-led ensemble that strives to bring underrated and unique styles of big band music to a public audience. CUJO’s collaboration with Dennis Rollins MBE will feature a set list of cutting-edge Iain Dixon big band arrangements from Dennis' Velocity Trio Album 'The 11th Gate' (2011).

 

Dennis Rollins MBE: "I'm honoured to be a part of this year's (2024) Cambridge Jazz Festival and I'm looking forward to this special collaboration with CUJO. This band is capable of fireworks. I know it's going to be an exciting musical occasion!"

​​

Dennis Rollins MBE is well-known on the British and international jazz scene and is celebrated for his versatility and muscular approach to playing the trombone. Born in 1964 to Jamaican parents, Dennis cut his teeth at the age of 14, studying in brass bands and an extended spell under tutorship at the Doncaster Youth Jazz Association. After studying he moved to London where he joined the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) and legendary all-black jazz big band, The Jazz Warriors. 

Over the years he has established a reputation as an artist of excellence and has lent his unique and stylish talents to some of the world's top jazz and pop personalities including Maceo Parker, Pee Wee Ellis, Courtney Pine, Baba Maal, Jamiroquai, US3, Brand New Heavies, and Blur. 

 

In 2006 his jazz/funk ensemble, Badbone & Co won the prestigious BBC Jazz Award for Best Band and later picked up Trombonist of the Year at both the British Jazz Awards, and the Ronnie Scott's Jazz Awards. 

 

Dennis was nominated twice in the 2008 Parliamentary Jazz Awards for Jazz Musician of the Year and the Jazz Education Award; he won the latter.

​

In February 2008, Dennis was given Honorary Freedom of the Borough in recognition of his successful musical career and for his role as an inspiration to Doncaster's (UK) musical youth.

​

As part of Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2018, Dennis was honoured with an MBE for services to music.​

​