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| © Richard Morris |
Making their
third visit to Llandudno Jazz Club in two years were the intergenerational QOW Trio.
This was the last leg of a short tour which included concerts in Croydon,
Scarborough, Coventry, Newcastle and Dublin. Taking the ferry from Dublin to Holyhead, prior to the concert these intrepid musicians soaked up the sunshine in this north west corner of Wales.
Now aged 80, legendary drummer Spike Wells was in very good form. As well as a very long career as a musician he also spent over 20 years both as a solicitor and as a priest. yet still finding time to play with many of the greats in the jazz industry including Ronnie Scott, Tubby Hayes, Bobby Wellins and Stan Getz. The second oldest member of the trio, Eddie Myer, is a renowned bass player in jazz and other genres. Since 1999 he's been a member of Turin Brakes. UK based Irishman Riley Stone-Lonergan is the youngest member of the trio and is considered to be one of the UK’s leading jazz saxophonists.
QOW Trio started off a few years ago as a
tribute to Sonny Rollins but ultimately became their own free blowing, hard swinging
trio producing (to date) three studio albums - QOW Trio (2021), The
Hold Up (2024) and The Rule of Three (2026).
Guesting on trumpet was Neil Yates - one of the top UK jazz trumpet players who is also the curator of the jazz club's Monday night concerts.
Over two sets the trio played a cross section of originals, jazz standards and some tunes from the trio’s recent 2026 album The Rule of Three and it was the title track from that album that they opened up with followed by Now Here - a tune composed by Riley. These two tunes showcased the talents of all three. Riley is a real firebrand on tenor sax. Spike provided a fine solo on Now Here and bassist Eddie is an integral part of the trio.
Neil made it a quartet for Alone Together. Originally composed in 1932 as a show tune it was first recorded as a jazz version by Artie Shaw. Neil remained on the stage for the closing number of the first set namely Bye, Bye, Blackbird.
Following a hydration and pizza break, the second set kicked off with a tune by Thelonious Monk on which Riley starred with some fast paced and visceral tenor sax work. Neil joined the trio for Joe Henderson's Recorda Me. Neil sat the next one out, Sheriff Elvin, a tune from The Rule of Three. A slower abstract number and one of my favourite tracks on this album which is well worth a listen. The concert concluded with an extended and very pleasing fast paced version of the pianist Kenny Barron's Voyage.
A very enjoyable concert appreciated by a knowledgeable audience.
Live Jazz takes place each Monday from 8.00pm at this venue which is a dog friendly and award winning traditional rustic style pub - the Penrhyn Arms - where the food is as good as the music. It has a large tropical beer garden. Modern and traditional jazz usually alternates each week. However, next Monday (Sept.21) there is modern jazz again with musicians T.B.A. Richard Morris
Set list included: The Rule of Three; Now Here; Alone Together; Bye, Bye, Blackbird;
Recorda Me; Sheriff Elvin; Voyage
Llandudno Jazz
Club, Penrhyn Arms, Pendre Road, Penrhynside,
Llandudno LL30 3BY
Facebook: The
Penrhyn Arms
Mondays @ 8pm.£15 cash entry pp for modern jazz and £10 pp for trad jazz, no booking required but recommended if dining. Tel Mark on 07792 834707 to book a table.
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