QOW TRIO
Tickets: Meal deal £25.50 Music ticket only £5.00
QOW TRIO are back with a barnstorming third album on the prestigious Whirlwind Records, with the fearless threesome roaming further than ever before into the uncharted hinterlands where the deep jazz tradition of the tenor trio, laden with melody and swing, ventures into the untamed regions of free improvisation. At the heart of the band is the unmistakeable beat of drummer Spike Wells, who this year celebrates his 80th birthday and the 65th year of his extraordinary career at the forefront of UK jazz, providing the driving force behind everyone from Tubby Hayes to Bobby Wellins to Stan Getz to Roland Kirk and countless others. Spanning the generations and riding at at his side are rising star saxophonist Riley Stone-Lonergan, whose intriguing compositions and boundless creative imagination as an improvisor continue to dazzle and delight, and big-toned bassist Eddie Myer rounding up the posse. Their first album ‘QOW TRIO’ was selected as critic’s choice by Jazzwise Magazine for 2021. The follow-up ‘The Hold Up’ was described by BBC Music Magazine as ‘a stunning achievement” and awarded 4**** by The Times and The Scotsman. They’ve spent the intervening time touring across the UK and EU and developing their sound to a new creative peak. Now ‘The Rule Of Three’ shows that three really is the magic number with their most coherent, wide-ranging and adventurous set of recordings yet. From Ayler to Strayhorn, from be-bop to calypso, from cowboy movie to free-jazz shootout, there’s a surprise at every turn, but always delivered with total sincerity and conviction and a driving desire to bring the audience with them every step of the way.
“QOW TRIO are a simply phenomenal live act” Kevin Whitlock, Jazzwise
From fine to sublime, the follow-up to this generation-spanning trio’s debut album is a stunning achievement... massively recommended.” BBC Music Magazine
“This sets the bar high for album of the year. It’ll take some beating.” Matthew Wright, Jazz Journal
“Listening to The Hold Up for the first time immediately reminded me why I love jazz so much.” Nick Lea, Jazz Views
“The trio keep everything loose and fun, while keeping the quality of their exchanges and energy levels at a high pitch. Their fluency in melding tradition-grounded language with contemporary jazz, together with sparkling spontaneity, keeps the entertainment standard high.” Neil Duggan, All About Jazz
“This band are really about loving joy at living inside this music - Four Stars ****” Nic Hasted Jazzwise
“QOW Trio is bursting with exuberant, energetic playing and imagination. Their second album manages to make what might seem a tired format lively and exhilarating: it positively fizzes with excitement.” Patrick Hadfield - London Jazz News
“The trio are ever more firmly thinking and responding as one ... go and hear them if you can.” Peter Vacher, The Jazz Rag
“This is a vibrant second album ... the unstoppable Riley Stone-Lonergan backed by the uninhibited drumming from vetern Spike Wells and the muscular bass of Eddie Myer... a big warm sound that keeps you listening” Hi-Fi News And Record Review