Biography of Jon LLoyd

Jon Lloyd

Jon Lloyd became known in the nineties for his distinctively voiced alto and soprano saxophone improvisations and for highly original compositions for jazz groups.

His quartets featured some of the best musicians of their generation – pianist John Law, bassists Paul Rogers and Tim Wells, drummers Mark Sanders and Paul Clarvis.


“ Most work done under his own name grapples with the structure/ freedom divide and seeks to make the most convincing case for looking after both sides of the spectrum. Records for Leo and hatArt make a strong case for his arguments.”
Richard Cook, Jazz Encyclopaedia


“ A delivery as persuasive as a speaking voice. Lloyd should be seen and heard more often.”
Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD


“ Great originality and, perhaps, a touch of genius.”
Brian Marley, The Wire.




The recordings available on this site include By Confusion, Praxis, Four and Five and Apparitions. Mimesis, a duo with pianist John Law, is available from his page.

By Confusion represents the work of The Jon Lloyd Quartet. This band toured, recorded and worked throughout the nineties and released three highly acclaimed CDs. The music is free yet bop-inspired and the compositions are intricate and angular. The style has been compared to Anthony Braxton or Steve Lacy.

Praxis is by The Jon Lloyd Sextet, an international group which toured in 1997. The music is a mix of tightly constructed, contemporary composition and group improvisation. The result is less jazz driven and highly dynamic.

Four and Five is a by a quartet of sax, cello, bass and drums. The compositions are a mixture of absract and freebop, the playing very energetic. Without the piano, the music has a harmonic freedom and a much looser direction than the earlier quartet music.

Apparitions is the first recording of an improvising quintet, featuring the great Phil Wachsmann. The music is eclectic, ambiguous and, in the absence of percussion, less jazz related than the other recordings.