The Musicians

Ashley Wright moved to Qatar in 2016 from London where she had stared as Ali in the hit movie Mamma Mia and London West End shows Anything Goes and The Little Big Band. Her voice is just at home on soft jazz ballads as it is belting out the latest chart topping hits. She leads the Doha Jazz Big Band, Soul Sister group and our regular jazz quartet.

Chris Coull is Doha Jazz’s founder director and a jazz trumpeter, pianist and bandleader. He arrived in Doha in 2001 and has been at the centre of it’s thriving jazz scene ever since. Since residing in Qatar his jazz ensemble groups have become well known and played for many visiting dignitaries including Bill Clinton, Lord Mandelson and Sir Richard Branson. In addition to Doha Jazz, Chris also runs South Coast Jazz  in the UK.

Lorena graduated with distinction from Vienna Conservatory before accepting a place with the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra and Doha String Quartet. She has performed on many notable international stages; “Royal Albert Hall” London, “La Scala” Milan, “Musikverein in Vienna”. She has appeared in numerous TV broadcasts and recorded with Dana Al Fardans music.

Enrick Adam is Doha Jazz͛s co-director and also an in demand jazz guitarist from France, where he attended the Paris conservatoire and received numerous academic and musicianship accolades. As well as playing he also teaches guitar and music theory at several private school throughout Doha. Enrick also sings, with his speciality in Bossa Nova and of course French songs too!

Ana Cisneros is one of several outstanding female singers that sing for Doha Jazz. She moved to Qatar from her native Spain in 2016 where she had performed at international music festivals. As well as singing she is an accomplished percussionist and often plays snare drum or shakers over Latin jazz tunes and Bossa novas.

UK born saxophonist and flautist Chip Wickham has had a versatile career notably with the UK’s prestigious all-star band The Craig Charles Fantasy Funk Band formed from the top rated BBC radio show. He has also played across Europe with the UK’s leading Soul-Jazz group The New Mastersounds including a classic single ‘Chocolate Chip’.

Phil Wilkinson is a renowned pianist and educator, from UK. Married to Ana Cisneros, they often play together as well as Phil performing as a solo artists and with the other members of Doha Jazz. Career highlights include touring with Larry Coryell, Mark Whitfield and Brian Jackson of Gil Scott Heron fame. His name has graced the legendary festivals Vienne and Montreaux jazz festival.

Madji Abazah is a renowned virtuoso of the Oud and Reik from Syria. He and his group often play to some of the most high profile events and function in Qatar and his ability to provide subtle and soothing music form the Arabic repertoire has created a reputation that is requested for many event in Doha. He and his team are also part of the Doha Jazz’s group “Jazz-Arabesque”.

Michael Pigneguy is a jazz drummer who has worked in genres ranging from jazz, hip-hop, rock, Celtic, orchestral and Latin. As a respected performer, composer, arranger and educator, Michael was principal arranger and artistic director for the UAE`s `Jazz Meets Mozart` projected to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birth.