Deppa began his professional career as a member of Dave Holdsworth’s quartet and also played with a band led by Johnny Mbizo Dyani. He was a founding member of the Jazz Warriors in London.[4] He joined Grand Union Orchestra in 1984 and has been a prominent member of the group led by Tony Haynes for over 30 years.[5]
Deppa has played and recorded with a wide variety of international jazz talent, including Art Blakey, Carla Bley’s big band, Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood Of Breath, Miriam Makeba, Louis Moholo, Evan Parker, Courtney Pine’s Jazz Warriors, and Andy Sheppard’s Big Co-Motion.[6]
As bandleader, Deppa has performed with, directed and composed for African Jazz Explosion, Horns Unlimited and Five Funky Fellas.[7][8] Together with saxophonist Clare Hirst, Deppa performs and composes for the Deppa Hirst Band, who have appeared live at jazz festivals in Marlborough, Ipswich and Swanage.[9]
He leads the brass and woodwind section of Kinetica Bloco, a project that celebrates the music of the African diaspora with themed summer schools and performances.[10]
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