Alto saxophonist Paul Towndrow and pianist Steve Hamilton have collaborated for over 15 years in a range of ensemble projects.
In this intimate duo setting, compositions and improvisations are delivered in their purest form. Crossover influences range broadly from Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and John Coltrane, to Debussy, Bartok and Charles Ives.
The music is inspired by many sources - from early 20th Century jazz (with its roots in New Orleans), to Celtic folk song, and from World Music to free improvisation.
In recent years, Paul has been perhaps best known as a founder member of the multi-awardwinning four-piece horn section Brass Jaw, and as a member of Scotlandâs flagship jazz orchestra, the SNJO....
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Alto saxophonist Paul Towndrow and pianist Steve Hamilton have collaborated for over 15 years in a range of ensemble projects.
In this intimate duo setting, compositions and improvisations are delivered in their purest form. Crossover influences range broadly from Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and John Coltrane, to Debussy, Bartok and Charles Ives.
The music is inspired by many sources - from early 20th Century jazz (with its roots in New Orleans), to Celtic folk song, and from World Music to free improvisation.
In recent years, Paul has been perhaps best known as a founder member of the multi-awardwinning four-piece horn section Brass Jaw, and as a member of Scotlandâs flagship jazz orchestra, the SNJO.
He is well established on the UK jazz scene, and in 2002 won The Peter Whittingham Jazz Award, resulting in his debut album Colours, and in 2003 reached the final of The World Saxophone Competition at the Montreux Jazz Festival, winning the Public Prize (most audience votes) following his performance with the Geri Allen Trio.
Having spent his formative musical years studying on both sides of the Atlantic, Towndrow has become one the UKâs busiest musicians, touring and performing with a wide range of artists - from Benny Golson, Kurt Elling, John Scofield and Branford Marsalis, to The Bad Plus, Ben E. King, Jack Bruce, Average White Band and Martha Reeves. He has been described by The Guardian as âA turbocharged amalgam of all your saxophone heroes!â
Steve Hamilton is one of Europeâs most creative and experienced contemporary pianists, most recently touring the world as keyboardist with drumming legend Billy Cobham.
His reputation as a piano âA-Listerâ is more than justified through his performances and recordings with Frank Gambale, Ray Charles, Kurt Elling, John Scofield, Gary Burton, Bobby Hutcherson, Van Morrison, Larry Coryell, Peter Erskine, Arild Andersen and many more.
Preceding the concert is a newly devised, light-hearted, 30-minute discussion entitled âWelcome To Jazzâ.
Towndrow and Hamilton explore the history of jazz and provide a unique insight into the inner workings of the music.
âIt's groups like Towndrow's that make one so optimistic for the future of jazz.â - Jazzwise
âJust full of excitement, full of edge and playing with all of the heart that the music needs.â - Julian Joseph, BBC Radio 3
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