Thames Music Group

Thames Music Group formed in 2026 after years of recruiting. We took a deliberately different approach to a function and corporate band: rather than building around a fixed set list, we built a collective around the best musicians we know, then complemented it with featured and session players from our wider network, guided by our management and creative team. Between the roster, there are years of real-world experience across multiple genres, settings and touring projects. This approach is rivalled by very few groups, not because others aren’t capable, but because it’s difficult to source this level of talent and secure the commitment outside busy schedules. That’s why we run a deep bench of trusted deps around our core. The upside is simple: we can shape the right line-up for any event size, from an intimate courtyard set to a full-scale corporate production, and supply everything required (PA, mics, lighting and production) so it runs smoothly. Attention to detail is what sets this collective apart, so we’re selective about what we offer. We specialise in specific genres and approaches that we can deliver to an A-class standard every time, and that’s exactly why we can make clear guarantees on quality and consistency. We’ll always work hard to fit the brief, but we won’t take on styles or formats we can’t execute at the level we’d want our name attached to. Our minimum standard is set and vetted by the musicians themselves, and if we find someone exceptional in a style we don’t currently cover, we’ll add them in future. Within that specialist offering, Thames Music Group cover a wide range: blues, jazz, soul, funk, Motown, R&B, pop, rock, reggae, country, folk, Latin and world music, moving from background elegance to full dancefloor energy without losing musicality. Distinctive colours are available when it suits the brief: sax, clarinet, flute, double bass, horns and woodwind, percussion, plus kora, guzheng and guembri. Levent Basharan (guitar virtuoso, bandleader) Levent leads the guitar side of the collective, from classical solo guitar and Spanish repertoire through gypsy jazz to intricate world fusion. He fronts the Basharan rock trio for a full, high-energy original show, and also leads Levent and Taylor’s World Band, blending world, jazz and modern groove with real live impact. Across all formats, his role is tone, dynamics and detail — whether it’s refined background music or a headline-feel set. Taylor Higgs (piano virtuoso, musical director) Taylor is classically trained (London College of Music alumni) and leads the piano-led side of the collective, including classical solo piano, jazz piano and full band work. He leads the Taylor Higgs Jazz Band for events that want a true jazz feel, and also leads the Cutting Keys Experience: piano fusion with instruments from around the world, built around improvisation, live interplay and special guests — with every event unique and no repeat set. He also features in Taylor Del Mundo, the rumba flamenca / Spanish and Latin world music band. Performance highlights Across the projects, the collective have delivered high-profile shows including performances for Vivienne Westwood and BrewDog, at the Houses of Parliament, and at the ‘Third World Solidarity’ conference for Mushtaq Lasharie CBE, alongside festival and overseas appearances. They have also performed internationally across Europe and beyond, including Switzerland, Italy, Cuba, Brazil, the Philippines and cruise ship stages. Connor Groves (lead vocals, front line options) Connor leads the vocal line-up and fronts the party band and rock/pop sets, with multiple vocalist options available depending on the tone of the event, including featured female vocalists. He also features on vocals and guitar in Taylor Del Mundo when the brief suits that Spanish/Latin edge. Known for power and range, he is also a natural showman and crowd-pleaser — confident, controlled, and able to lift a room and keep it there without losing taste or timing. Darren Jones (folk, roots and world specialist) Darren leads Darren Jones World Band and fronts The Long Run. His lane is folk, roots and world music with live drive and storytelling, plus multi-instrument colour as part of the show (vocals, guitar, sax, harmonica, bouzouki and mandolin depending on the set). He is a fantastic showman and crowd-pleaser when the brief calls for that lively, roots-led momentum. Dave Livings (folk, blues and soul specialist) Dave adds sensitivity and intimacy to a set, ideal for ceremonies, courtyard moments and the quieter parts of the day that still need real musical weight. His solo work is built around vocals, guitar and harmonica, and he also fronts Davey and the Jawbones for a more electrified, Chicago-blues-leaning option when the event wants grit, groove and punch. Built around showmanship as much as musicianship, Thames Music Group don’t just play songs — they guide the room. They read the audience, shape the pacing, and land the moments, so the night feels effortless for the host and memorable for the guests. Alongside the performance, the group also provide an in-house photography, videography, media and special effects department, with professional kit and lighting, so everything is handled by one joined-up team. Line-up options (grouped by what we cover) Ceremony / arrivals / courtyard Classical solo piano (Taylor) • Classical solo guitar (Levent) • Solo guitar (Spanish/gypsy jazz/classical) • Guitar + keys • Add vocals (Connor / featured vocalists) • Add intimate folk colour (Dave / Darren) Drinks reception Gypsy jazz / jazz duo or trio (Levent-led) • Jazz band option (Taylor Higgs Jazz Band) • Folk-led acoustic sets (Darren / Dave) Dinner Atmosphere sets that build gently • Acoustic covers with cajon/percussion where needed • Jazz-led dinner sets (Taylor Higgs Jazz Band) Evening party 4–5 piece party band (Connor-fronted) • Rock-led party set options • Add horns/woodwind/percussion to increase impact Bigger stages / big moments Customisable big band • Featured/session instruments by request (kora, guzheng, guembri, sax, clarinet, flute, double bass) Original projects Basharan (original rock trio) • Taylor Del Mundo (rumba flamenca / Spanish & Latin world) • Levent and Taylor’s World Band (world fusion) • Cutting Keys Experience (piano fusion with instruments from around the world)