Tradition ain’t what it used to be.

QOW TRIO’s debut release is not so much an album of standards as an infectiously joyful compendium of vintage tunes bursting from the heart of the music, like so many blood-red silk handkerchiefs gushing from the chest of a mime at the firing squad. Given that all of creation exists as a simultaneous roar of perfection, think of this sax-bass-drums trio not as old-fashioned but timeless: Sonny Rollins is still perched on the bridge, blowing long, cold lines into the wind and always will be, after all. Hear how Riley’s loquacious sax quips a nonchalant quote from Bird’s ‘Cool Blues’ about 90 seconds from the end of the hip, dancing ‘Cheryl.’ Dig Spike’s crisp snare ‘n’ cowbell funk and Eddie’s hump-backed bass drone opening up a power swing on their namesake tune, a crashing dive through Dewey Redman’s ‘Qow,’ with Riley growling up a real out moan. Catch yourself sighing in beautiful melancholy for ‘God Bless The Child,’ with bells and cymbals shimmering like Frank O’Hara’s lost cigarette end in the great, black night. Right now, it’s about eight months since I last really heard any live music, the world shudders and groans. But these sounds are the real virus: always alive, always mutating, indestructible.

Daniel Spicer, Brighton, October 2020.

Second outing for the band; recorded live at the Fishmarket in Willesden and mixed to tape for that authentic fresh feel... We're very lucky to be joined on this record by two new musicians, the wonderful Riley Stone-Lonergan and Mark Edwards

Personnel|Credits
Released January 4, 2017

Riley Stone Lonergan - tenor sax
Luke Rattenbury - guitar
Mark Edwards - fender rhodes
Eddie Myer - bass
Tristan Banks - drums

UK-based irishman RILEY STONE LONERGAN has been building a strong reputation as a tenor saxophonist on the UK jazz scene since moving to Leeds to study at Leeds College of Music in 2008. Riley gained a BA in Jazz Performance, graduating with first class honours and winning several awards, including the Dave Cooper Memorial Prize for Jazz Saxophone, the John Scheerer Prize for Woodwind and the David Hoult Prize for Outstanding Performance. In 2011, Riley was chosen as one of the 6 Yamaha Jazz Scholars, an annual award given out to the best young musicians graduating from music college. Now based in :London and a regular at the Ronnie Scott’s late session, he’s one of the most exciting young players around and never fails to whip up a storm. 

https://rileystonelonergan.wordpress.com/

Pianist and composer MARK EDWARDS has spent over 25 years in the music business, working with a wide range of musicians and bands including Bobby Wellins, Mornington Lockett, Art Themen, Terry Callier, Nina Simone, Daryl Hall and Aztec Camera, Katie Melua, and countless others."

TRACKS

1. Time Flies

2. Lithuania

3. Naptime

4. Capelinhas

5. Why Worry?

6. Stars

7. Moon Tune

8. Frisberry

WHY WORRY? is a fresh slice of 21st century jazz, bringing together contemporary styles and latin flavours over an base grounded in the earthy, direct and spontaneous tradition. 

WHY WORRY? was recorded live in the Brighton studio of Mike Pelanconi, well known engineer and producer, making full use of his legendary skills with vintage outboard gear to capture the full rich sound of the classic jazz era . All the compositions are by Eddie Myer, Tristan Banks and Ian Price and the material was cut in two sessions with several first takes making the album. The music reflects Eddie’s enthusiasm for the expansive post-bop landscape of the late 60s, as well as encompassing the band’s awareness of the cutting edge of contemporary jazz styles and their mutual love of the afro-latin tradition. Eddie was lucky to secure the passion and commitment of this exceptional band of players; they really connected with the project, everyone played their asses off and the results can be heard in the joyful, hard swinging spontaneity of the performances. Sadly this was to be one of Ian Price’s last recordings before his untimely death and this album is a tribute to his talent.

Personnel|Credits
Released May 1, 2015

EDDIE MYER is a self-taught bassist and composer and an active player on the South Coast jazz scene. He’s performed and recorded in a wide variety of different contexts from dance hits to platinum-selling rock albums and written songs for internationally successful artists but is equally at home playing jazz in an intimate setting. He co-runs a regular weekly jam session at the Verdict Jazz Club in Brighton. 

TRISTAN BANKS (drums) has a CV that includes work with Alex Wilson, John Donaldson, Da Lata and Bah Samba among many others. As well as maintaining a busy profile playing jazz, he’s also the first-call drummer for many on the London afro-cuban and afro-brasilian scene. He’s an amazingly versatile and accomplished percussionist and in high demand as a player and teacher. 

LUKE RATTENBURY (guitar) studied jazz at Chichester and Leeds and is a mainstay of the Brighton jazz clubs, playing regularly with Terry Seabrook, as well as in various afro-cuban acts and with the popular afrobeat scenesters Kalakuta Millionaires. 

FRANK HARRISON ( fender rhodes) has an international reputation that’s become firmly established since he finished his studies at Berklee and joined Gilad Atzmon’s Orient House Ensemble, where he’s held down the piano chair for more than a decade. He’s performed and recorded with innumerable major jazz artists, as well as releasing four critically acclaimed albums with his own trio. 

IAN PRICE (tenor sax and flute) was well known and respected among cognoscenti for his talent and dedication as a musician. He toured and recorded with John Donaldson, Pete King and Terry Seabrook’s Milestones with Alan Barnes and was preparing to record his debut album with Spike Wells at the time of his tragically early death from cancer. This record is a tribute to his accomplishments.