Events

THREEWAY AT TWENTY’

Steve Waterman – Trumpet/Flugelhorn
Steve Lodder – Piano/Keyboards
Ben Crosland – Bass

“The ensemble playing has the togetherness that only comes from top musicians who know each other well and think as one. Everything is clear and precise yet full of delicacy and feeling” Dave Gelly, The Observer “Three stellar musicians…Crosland’s compositions are often quite captivating, the reactions and interplay between Crosland, Waterman and Lodder as near to perfection as anyone could want” Peter Vacher, Jazzwise Threeway came into being in May 2004 over the breakfast table after Waterman, Lodder and Crosland had, the previous evening, played at a charity event at the home of two of Crosland’s closest friends. The feeling was that there was real compatibility between them and something new and exciting could emerge within the context of a chamber jazz trio without drums.

Over the course of the ensuing 19 years, the band has recorded three albums, Conversations, Songs of the Year and Looking Forward, Looking Back, which have all garnered significant critical acclaim and received airplay on a number of radio stations including BBC Radio 3, Jazz FM and UK Jazz Radio. Threeway have played festivals and club dates across the country, engaging audiences with their attractive brand of melodic, fresh sounding, subtle jazz, the material largely written by all three band members, all the while developing the intense interplay between the players that so characterises the group’s identity and sound.

Threeway’s music is heard to best advantage in the concert setting. Accordingly, this is an ideal group for ‘listening’ jazz venues, arts centres, music festivals and concert societies.

The band is celebrating its 20th anniversary and to mark the occasion, it has recorded an album of new compositions with guitar legend John Etheridge as their special guest. The album, HARKEN!, was released on 5th July 2024 and was launched at the Buxton International Festival on 8th July.2 Threeway has been touring throughout the year as a trio and also with John as their special guest.

‘’This is a band that gives the term "chamber jazz" a good name. All three are virtuoso players who know each other so well that their improvisations just seem to fall into place. It's subtle music – warm, melodic and gently intriguing.’’ Dave Gelly, The Observer

‘‘Three great musicians, they are celebrating 20 years together. They are a veritable repository of skills, as you will discover.’’ Sean Rafferty, In Tune BBC Radio 3

As a phenomenally talented UK singer/songwriter and bassist with a plethora of diverse musical influences, he fuses a remarkable intuition with a deeply ingrained musical understanding, resulting in songs that are at once world-worn and timeless.
As well as fronting The Most Wanted Band he is renowned for his prowess as a bass player and is almost unique in the UK with his Bass Day UK events. In other areas and styles however, he has proven himself a master record producer, mastering engineer and consistently astounding songwriter, a testament to his tireless work ethic and devotion to his craft.

Jack Wilson is a saxophonist and composer originally from North Yorkshire who is based in London. His recently released his debut EP which was marked with a sold out show at The Muddy Puddle. Jack has had an eclectic career so far, covering a wide range of musical styles, recently he toured with Palestinian violinist Akram Abdulfattah for his debut UK tour and featured on his release ‘Akram Abdulfattah Live at Cambridge Folk Festival.’ His latest compositions draw from all of his musical experiences to settle in the jazz idiom, whilst borrowing from his time playing in the folk, world and electronic genres.
Jack graduated from Guildhall School of Music and Drama’s Master of Performance course with Distinction in 2021 and previously to that Leeds College of Music in 2017. Since then he has gone on to play throughout the UK and Europe in various countries such as: France, The Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Cyprus, Sweden and festivals such as: Cambridge Folk Festival, Knockengorroch, Green Man, Shambala, Boomtown, The Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival, London Jazz Festival and many more.’

The Northern Star Organ trio formed in 2023 as an informal meet up between three old friends. We quickly realised a strong musical connection and started to play out live in the North of England. The trio consists of Bruce Renshaw (drums), Rob Bromhead (guitar), and Bob Birch (Hammond organ). The combo play a mixture of instrument soul classics, rare groove and original tunes with a definite nod to 1960’s Blue Note recordings.

The Billionaires Trio is a fun and foot-tapping piano-led band with musicians living out their love of the 40s and 50s jump-jive and swing era. Joining piano man 'Boogie' Bill are chanteuse Emma Williams and tenor sax man Paul Froggatt. Expect a good dose of Loius Prima and Jordan complete with 3 part vocal harmonies - a dash of RnB from the likes of Fats Domino - and a couple of jaw dropping torch songs that would make Ella proud - showing off Emma's superb voice and heartfelt delivery at its best.