David Mellor
The Creator
David Mellor is an award-winning composer, arranger and conductor whose work spans international orchestras to leading recording artists and London’s West End.
Excelling at classical piano from age six, David was encouraged to listen to and play an eclectic range of music during his early years.
Throughout his career, David has demonstrated rich talent, precision and flair in his composition and great expertise in producing, allowing him to conduct, arrange and collaborate with many artists and musicians.
David is a director of The Think Ahead Group (UK) Limited, representing and providing musicians in the UK and Europe for concerts and theatre performances.
Selected Credits
Sir George Martin
Sir Richard Eyre
Don Black
Shirley Bassey
Cilla Black
Petula Clark
Sacha Distel
Jason Donovan
David Essex
Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber
‘the 22’ delivers an elegant, stylish and romantic experience that allows audiences to escape the everyday and be completely absorbed in the music.
– David Mellor, The Creator of ‘the 22’
The Experience
What to expect
Audiences are prioritising depth, craftsmanship and emotional connection, creating strong demand for distinctive, well-produced cultural performances.
‘the 22’ meets this demand with scale, musical excellence and immersive staging and choreography, offering venues a compelling alternative to standard jazz programming.
‘Watch What Happens’ – Written by Michel Legrand, arranged by David Mellor and ‘the 22’, performed by SSO, Clockwork Sessions and David Mellor.
‘Cuando Vuelva Tu Lado’ – Written by María Grever, arranged by David Mellor, performed by SSO, Clockwork Sessions and David Mellor.
‘Day Dream’ – Written by Billy Strayhorn, lyrics by John Latouche, arranged by David Mellor, performed by Alan Wakeman (alto sax), SSO, Clockwork Sessions and David Mellor.
‘I Can’t Stop Loving You’ – Written by Don Gibson, arranged by David Mellor, performed by SSO, Clockwork Sessions and David Mellor.
Distinguished Repertoire
inspired by excellence
Performing an array of music showcasing pre-eminent jazz composers and performers, ‘the 22’ is a remarkable ensemble that perform a unique collection of songs. The music of ‘the 22’ is emotionally rich with a repertoire spanning romance, rhythm, joy, peace and reflection.
Audiences will enjoy performances featuring the work of Michel Legrand, Quincy Jones, Cole Porter, Diana Krall and Stan Getz, and also recognise music by the likes of Stevie Wonder, John Barry, Aretha Franklin, Michael Buble and Miles Davis.
Original Compositions
The Journey
As the creator of ‘the 22’, David Mellor has spent several years writing the original scores, devising the concert, sourcing musicians and studios, to ensure the quality of the orchestrations and material.
Growing up in a musical family, David was influenced by his classical and eclectic education across a range of genres. The original compositions reflect a career that spans generations of legends, including Oscar Peterson, John Coltrane and Duke Ellington.
Signature Sets
One of a kind
Original scoring includes a ‘French Set’ using Django Reinhardt’s gypsy jazz from the Woody Allen film ‘Midnight in Paris’, featuring Sidney Bechet soprano saxophone tracks.
‘the 22’ features Britain’s foremost exponent of the accordion, Karen Street, in a cameo French café scene. This and other items will be a step away from regular jazz concerts and feature dance and imaginative staging.
The Orchestra
Meet the ensemble
David Mellor first conceived and developed the idea for ‘the 22’ more than eight years ago, evolving a long-established septet into a full-scale contemporary jazz orchestra.
Each musician has been selected for their exceptional artistry, versatility and ensemble strength.
The orchestra features respected specialists such as guitarist Sam Dunn and principal string leader Warren Zielinski, as well as rising stars including violinist Ellie Consta.
At the rhythmic core of the ensemble, Rob Levy on double bass and bass guitar lays a solid foundation for the orchestra to work from.
Accordionist and multi-instrumentalist Karen Street, widely regarded as one of the UK’s foremost jazz accordionists, has performed with leading ensembles including Mike Westbrook, and is a prolific composer. Within ‘the 22’ she doubles on alto saxophone.
Vocalist Charlie Pyne is a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. An excellent vocalist and accomplished Double Bass player, Charlie brings charismatic stage presence and displays a rare ability in her interpretation of the orchestra’s arrangements.
The brass section adds further energy and impact, with trumpeters Miguel Gorodi and Tom Walsh, trombonist Rory Ingham, and percussionist Magnus Mehta.
Yamaha artist Andy Tweed, highly respected in classical and jazz circles, and a sought-after educator, plays saxophone and multiple woodwind instruments.
Completing the orchestra is a twelve-piece string section drawn from some of Europe’s most experienced session players. The cello desks are led by Frank Schaefer and David Daniels, with Meghan Cassidy and Edward Van Der Spar on viola. Together with violinists Raja Halder, Jan Regulski, Donna Morkov, Julie Rumley, Laurent Quenelle, Odile Olagnon, Ellie Consta and led by virtuoso violinist Warren Zielinski the strings form the core of a richly textured orchestral sound.
Introducing the Orchestra
‘the 22’ grew from a long-established septet into a full 22-piece ensemble, carefully curated for musical excellence, versatility and chemistry.
Featuring leading UK & European musicians across strings, brass, woodwind, rhythm and solo instruments, together, they form a powerful, expressive and highly disciplined ensemble capable of delivering both intimacy and scale.
Building a lasting contemporary jazz brand
The Vision
The launch of ‘the 22’ comes at a uniquely favourable moment for live music, cultural audiences and strategic arts investment. ‘the 22’ has been conceived not simply as a concert series, but as a long-term cultural brand with touring, broadcast, education and international reach.
At its core, ‘the 22’ delivers a premium live jazz experience designed to resonate with modern audiences.
Beyond the stage, the project is structured to grow into a multi-platform creative enterprise, generating value across live performance, recorded content, education and cultural partnerships.
Touring and Live Performance
‘the 22’ jazz orchestra is designed for theatres, concert halls, festivals and special events, suitable for UK and international touring.
International Expansion
Following UK establishment, the vision for ‘the 22’ includes targeted expansion into international markets with strong jazz and cultural audiences including Europe and Japan, supported by local venue and cultural partnerships.
Broadcast and Content Creation
All performances and rehearsals are documented with a long-term view to creating broadcast-ready content. This includes live performance capture, digital releases and a documentary project titled The Making of an Orchestra, charting the development of a contemporary jazz ensemble from concept to stage.
This content supports brand visibility, audience growth and future commercial opportunities across streaming and broadcast platforms.
‘the 22’ Jazz Academy
developing the next generation
Success in touring and broadcast will directly support the creation of ‘the 22’ Jazz Academy, a future-facing education initiative designed to nurture young and emerging jazz musicians.
The academy will provide practical, high-quality musical education led by professional members of the orchestra.
‘The Making of an Orchestra’ will support educational workshops and look at how to work with an orchestra, how to get the most from an ensemble, how a string section works and much more.
“Nurturing the talent and enthusiasm of young musicians striving for success, more than anything will be a real achievement and a legacy to leave for future generations.
Music education is so important for a young person’s development, if it teaches nothing else it teaches discipline for life, but also provides opportunities for travel and can provide lasting friendships throughout the world.”
– Words from David, creator of ‘the 22’
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