Album review: Christopher Lucas Wilson Trio - Wilson's Way (Independent)

Christopher Lucas Wilson (piano); Alex Austin (bass); Isaiah Spencer (drums)

Like Wilson's previous album, Solemn Moments released  in 2023, Wilson's Way is another joyful mix of originals, standards, Latin and bebop all played in Wilson's way - pardon the pun.

Years ago another Wilson, Teddy, was invariably described as elegant as indeed his playing always was. With the passage of time elegance  became a lesser-used adjective in jazz circles - until now that is. Thanks to Christopher Lucas Wilson, if this album is anything to go by, elegance is very much back in fashion.

Alex Clarke Quartet @ Swan and Chequers, Sandbach - August 30

© Richard Morris

Alex Clarke (tenor/alto sax); Andrzej Baranek (piano); Ed Harrison (double bass); Dave Walsh (drums)

On my journey from North Wales the rain pelted down but fortunately, just as I arrived in Sandbach the rain stopped and the sun came out. An omen that this would be a good day and it certainly was.

The second of four scheduled concerts, I'm told I apparently missed a very good earlier concert by Wendy Kirkland and her band which started at the unholy hour (for jazz musicians) at 11.30am. 

Johnny Hunter “Now It Can Be Told” @ Swan and Chequers, Sandbach - August 29

© Richard Morris

Johnny Hunter (drums, percussion); Dee Byrne  (alto sax, effects);  Mick Bardon (bass guitar, effects); Chris Sharkey (guitar, effects);

The festival’s 8:00pm Saturday night slot featured Johnny Hunter’s Now it Can be Told. I have to admit I am a huge fan of Johnny Hunter’s drumming having seen him play on many many occasions, normally in groups where he is not the leader. Therefore it was a delight to see him as both leader and composer.

Now it Can be Told  is one  of Johnny’s latest projects, of which there are numerous. He released an album of the same name in 2025. This piece, lasting for a continuous one hour had been performed in a previous incarnation at the Liverpool International Jazz Festival and at London’s Kings Place with John Fordham calling it “an imaginative set of 21st-century bebop mixed with electronic echoes”.  Bandcamp, UK Jazz and Improvised Music, described the album as “Really original stuff, embracing space and delicate textures, alongside powerful heavy beats and electronic laden walls of sound with equal conviction. A fantastic record. ”

Rob Cope’s Joy Ride @ Swan and Chequers, Sandbach - August 29

© Richard Morris

Rob Cope (alto/tenor sax);  Nick Smart (trumpet, flugelhorn); Gwilym Simcock (piano); Gavin Barras (double bass); Dave Walsh (drums)

Rob Cope's Joy Ride had the 5:00pm slot on the second day of the first four day jazz festival at the Swan and Chequers held over the Bank Holiday weekend. The first day,  Friday, had one concert in the evening where the main band comprised of Emily Masser, Adam Fairhall, Jonathan Silk and Pablo Sonnaillon but  later morphed into a jazz jam with many other musicians including Rob Cope, Ray Butcher, Jamie Gallagher, Dan Farrar and many more.

The band for this 5:00pm concert can only be described as a supergroup with all five being world class musicians. Leader Rob Cope is a fabulous saxophone player both on alto and tenor as well as being a respected composer and educator. He is the person who led the team behind this festival. All tunes in this concert composed by him included some from his 2026 album Phoenix No. 1 which is well worth a listen.

A few thoughts on Cassandra Wilson

Following her death on September 1, (announced yesterday) I have been, mainly, listening to Cassandra Wilson’s early Blue Note albums from that magisterial period in her career from the early 90s, namely Blue Light ‘Til Dawn, New Moon Daughter, Travelling Miles, Belly of the Sun.

What marked these early Blue Note albums out was the way in which her deep, contralto voice was accompanied by stripped down instrumentation, using spare combinations of bass, guitar, percussion, (sometimes lots of percussion), clarinet, pedal steel guitar, violin and, on one track washboard and ash tray usually singly, rarely in anything approaching a group format. This barren instrumental landscape threw all of the focus on to her blues drenched vocals as she slurred or dragged her lines, often very seductively. This languor seemed to capture her roots in a lazy, sun soaked Mississippi.

Into September...

Looking at September's gigs, it's a varied month with something to suit most tastes. This coming weekend Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club once again welcomes Alligator Gumbo. The Yorkshire outfit is popular down on Larchfield Street. The best advice is to arrive early on Saturday (Sept. 6) for a half past twelve start. Sunday evening sees the regional debut of the Nils Kavanagh Trio at Newcastle Jazz Co-op HQ. Pianist Kavanagh will take to the stage with Ursula Harrison (bass) and Sam Green (drums).

Wednesday's Jazz North East promotion at Elder Beer, Heaton, Newcastle (that's Sept. 9) features NONUNONU. Yes, that's right, NONUNONU. Featuring guitarist Tim 'Bim' Williams, the trio's previous appearances at the Chillingham Road micro pub/bottle shop were rather good! Thursday (Sept. 10) across the Tyne at Gateshead's imposing Glasshouse, there is another opportunity to hear the high profile saxophonist Emma Rawicz, on this occasion with her all-star band. 

Cassandra Wilson (1955 - Sept. 1, 2026)

The passing of Cassandra Wilson on Tuesday marks the loss of another great jazz singer. Wilson was very much her own person being influenced by musicians such as Steve Coleman and Miles Davis rather than the usual Ella and/or Billie.

If anyone perhaps Sheila Jordan was a peripheral influence.

There' an excellent tribute on WBGO which can be heard HERE. No doubt there will be others.

May she Rest In Peace. Lance

Preview/press release: Seijiro Murayama and Jean Luc Guionnet @ Star and Shadow- - Sept. 8

Last minute news of a gig at the Star and Shadow next Tuesday (Sept. 8) by Seijiro Murayama and Jean Luc Guionnet filling in a blank date before their gig at Café Oto the following evening.

Details HERE.

Dan Whieldon Quartet @ Swan and Chequers, Sandbach - August 29

© Richard Morris

Dan Whieldon (piano);  Richard Iles (trumpet); Gavin Barras (double bass); Dave Walsh (drums)

This concert took place on the second day (Saturday) of the first four day Jazz Festival at the Swan and Chequers. Last year they tipped their toes in the water by having just a big band concert which was a success so Rob Cope and his team organised this full festival which I hope is repeated in 2017.

Gavin and Dave are well known to me having seen Gavin play on numerous occasions. He has played in the UK and internationally with musicians such as Matthew Halsall with whom he has played for over 15 years and I have seen him play regularly in bands led by Dean Stockdale. Dave is a heavyweight on the UK jazz scene, much in demand and teaching at the Leeds Conservatoire. This was the first of three concerts he played at the Festival.

Stockport Jazz

Stockport Jazz returns to the Moor Club this Sunday with the legendary Munch Manship Quartet, featuring Munch on tenor sax and flute with Richard Wetherall (piano), Dave Lynane (bass) and Eryl Roberts (drums).

Sunday 6th September 8 -10pm

The Moor Club, 35 Heaton Moor Road Heaton Moor Stockport SK4 4PB

 

£5 admission on the door - all welcome