Trumpeter Claude Deppa, from Cape Town, South Africa, is well known for playing with the likes of Miriam Makeba, Julian Bahula, Louis Moholo/Viva La Black, Brotherhood of Breath and Art Blakey. He also teaches, leading the brass section of Kinetika Bloco, a band of young musicians from across London playing carnival music.
Clare Hirst is a saxophonist based in London, who has worked with artists such as David Bowie, Grupo Lokito, The Communards, Mica Paris, Maxi Priest, Amazulu and Mervyn Africa. She has worked with Claude for 30 years, before forming their band, Claude Deppa Clare Hirst Band.
The band released their 2nd album “Beyond Bahula” in 2024. It consists of 8 original tracks written by Clare and Claude. Spanning influences from Abdullah Ibrahim and Julian Bahula to Ornette Coleman and beyond, the band creates an inclusive and high energy atmosphere to be enjoyed by all.
Jazzwise: "Bass man Miles Danso made his presence felt similarly in the quintet fronted by Claude Deppa’s trumpet and Clare Hirst’s tenor whose set managed to combine clever timings and cross-rhythms with smoothly grooving tunes."