Adrian Cox (clarinet); Honey Boulton
(guitar); Alex Gilson (double bass)
© Richard Morris
The trio’s second concert of a tour that took in the UK, Sweden and Belgium centred around Sidney Bechet, born 14 May 1897, died 14 May 1959, is one of Adrian Cox’s favourite clarinetists. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of Bechet’s life and music which was demonstrated by his introduction to each song. Bechet left a huge canon of brilliant tunes composed by him as well as recording great versions of songs by other composers. The Adrian Cox Trio must count as one of the best exponents of Bechet’s music world wide.
Alex joined the trio at the beginning of 2025 and already they have performed numerous concerts. They have also recorded an album of their own tunes which will be released in 2027. Adrian is one of the world’s leading clarinetists having played with some of the current top musicians such as Wynton Marsalis among others. Honey, born in New Zealand and currently based in London, is also a bandleader and one of the most active musicians sometimes playing up to eleven concerts a week. Alex is an in demand double bass player from France now based in New York.
The concert
took place at Bollington Arts Centre before a sold out audience. Jazz takes
place here monthly and the hosts, Bernard and Carole Selby, have years of experience
of curating jazz concerts and a warm welcome is extended to all. It is an
intimate venue with good acoustics. The only electronic aid to an acoustic
performance was a small portable amplifier for Honey’s guitar.
The concert kicked off with a rip roaring version of the Buddy Bolden Stomp. This was followed by the slower tempo Indian Summer. Kansas City Man Blues was next then the Scott Joplin composed Maple Leaf Rag which is a very fast number which the trio effortlessly performed. The 1938 number When the Sun Sets Down South was a favourite of mine from the first set. The trio explored the album of Haitian music Bechet had recorded and played Diane from that album. This tune was not written by Bechet and, according to Adrian, has a remarkable resemblance to a tune known as Tropical Moon or Tropical Mood. Honey provided vocals on I’m Coming Virginia. Black Stick, a tune by Bechet, was fast and furious and was followed by a slower ballad Make me a Pallet on the Floor. Panama is a song by Bunk Johnson and Louis Armstrong. Bechet actually played with Bunk Johnson. This tune contained an incredible solo by Adrian followed by a solo from Honey.
To say that all these three musicians have a lot of class would be an understatement. The clarity of sound and precise nature of their playing could not be bettered. Moulin à Cafe appears on the trio’s latest 7 inch vinyl which contains three tracks. Originally known as Rubber Plant Rag, it is a fast, uptempo number. The set concluded with Bechet’s Fantasy.
The second
set opened with Egyptian Fantasy followed by J’ai Deau Amours on which Alex sang beautifully in
his native tongue. Reminiscent of Sasha Distel I thought. It brought a quiver
to some ladies in the audience. In 1949 Bechet played the Paris Jazz Festival
which was the first time Miles Davis and Charlie Parker had played in Europe.
ten months later Bechet moved to live just outside Paris. He composed Dans Les Rues d’Antibes. Petit Fleur a ballad was
played beautifully. Adrian sang Blue Monday up on Sugar Hill. Honey provided the
vocals on an exquisite Careless Love. The concert concluded with Au Secours and the classic Si Tu Vois Ma Mere
Adrian will
next be back at Bollington Arts Centre on December 11 when he will be
performing with Jamie Brownfield, Tom Kincaid and Jack Cotterill. Tickets from
the Arts Centre’s website (see below). I will next be seeing the Fabulous Mr Cox at
Henley Jazz Festival which runs from 25-27 September tickets at www.henleyjazzfestival.com. Richard Morris
Set list: Buddy
Bolden Stomp; Indian Summer; Kansas City Man Blues; Maple Leaf Rag; When the Sun
Sets Down South; Diane; I’m Coming Virginia; Black Stick; Make me a Pallet On the
Floor; Panama; Moulin à Cafe; Bechet’s
Fantasy; Egyptian Fantasy; J’ai Deau Amours; Dans Les Rues d’Antibes; Petit
Fleur; Blue Monday Up On Sugar Hill; Careless Love; Au Secours; Si Tu Vois Ma
Mere
Bollington Arts Centre, Wellington Road, Bollington, Macclesfield SK10
5JR
Tel: 01625 573863 www.bollingtonartscentre.co.uk
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