Mercury & MOBO award-winning saxophonist/composer Denys Baptiste returns with a new trio as he opens a new page in a fresh, modern songbook for his latest project. Born in London of St Lucian parents, Denys has had an exceptional career at the forefront of the UK scene, performing/recording with international stars including McCoy Tyner, Hugh Masekela, Bheki Mseleku, Django Bates, Courtney Pine & Billy Higgins. Described by Time Magazine as “The icon of British Jazz”, his colossal musicality - based on a powerful technique and a facility to improvise fluently and effortlessly across a wide range of musical styles – is matched only by his unfettered energy which takes him and his audiences into the musical stratosphere. An evening with Denys guarantees a display of unsuppressed expression, ranging from the soulful to breath taking, edge-of-your-seat virtuosity.
Triumvirate sees Denys team up with one of the most sought-after double bassists on the UK scene, Larry Bartley, and rising-star & former Tomorrow’s Warrior, drummer Cassius Cobbson, as they take quality songs of the recent past and reinterpret them in trio format to 'present familiar material in an unfamiliar way'. The arrangements are fluid improvised pieces that will retain their essence and familiarity, as the Triumvirate explores the hidden corners of compositions from such diverse artists as Gnarls Barkley, Cindy Lauper, Bill Withers and many others. An unexpected source of inspiration for a musician so steeped in the jazz tradition as Denys Baptiste, but one that he hopes will open audiences' ears to new and interesting music, producing a repertoire which is contemporary and multi-layered yet highly accessible.
This concert is supported by Arts Council England’s Supporting Grassroots Live Music Fund and Forsyth Pianos.
‘Denys Baptiste…taking Europe by storm and becoming the icon of British jazz’
Time Magazine
“the journey they were guiding the crowd upon was also a sophisticated and brilliant game, with no rules except for the one to enjoy themselves… took the word Jazz and gave it extra impetuous, a journey of unregulated bliss”
Liverpool International Jazz Festival Review
Denys Baptiste // tenor saxophone
Larry Bartley // bass
Cassius Cobbson // drums