Adrian Cox (clarinet, vocals); Honey Boulton (guitar, vocals); Alex Gilson (double bass, vocals)
W.D. & H.O. Wills. A couple of names to conjure with. Now seen for what they were, beneficiaries of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, one of their former premises in Bristol is now a thriving arts centre.
The Tobacco Factory on Raleigh Road occupies three floors - cafe/bar, meeting rooms, performance spaces and more. The Loft on the top floor is a bright, airy, flexible space offering theatre-style or cabaret table seating. This evening's sold out concert would be a fundraiser for the Bristol Jazz Festival.
Cox, clarinet, Honey Boulton, guitar, and New York-based Parisian Alex Gilson, playing unamplified string bass, have been working together as a unit for twelve months and more, and it shows. Lengthy rehearsals and constant gigging have honed the trio into a formidable force.
Bristolians - and others - were in awe of Cox and co. Honey Boulton singing Bluer Than Blue, Alex Gilson singing J'ttendrai (in French, bien sür), the trio's peerless musicianship held the audience spellbound, save for frequent bouts of tumultuous applause.
Cox referenced many of his Crescent City clarinet heroes, his enthusiasm cannily engaging his audience. Perdido Street Blues, Why?, Si Tu Vois Ma Mère and many more took us up to the scheduled finish. The audience wouldn't hear of it. First one encore, then another.
Afterwards, Adrian, Honey and Alex made time for all and sundry, the 'merch' stall all but cleaned out. The Adrian Cox Trio tour continues with another half a dozen or so UK dates then it's off to Australia and New Zealand. The boys will return and when they do, go see 'em. Russell
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