TRISH CLOWES & GARETH WILLIAMS
Cardiff University Concert Hall
Sat 14 Apr
This venue seems to fly under the radar a little in terms of its ability to book interesting jazz gigs, but book them it nonetheless does, and this month two lauded musicians from the contemporary British scene make their way to its Cathays location.
Saxophonist Trish Clowes is the younger of the two, in her early 30s, but already has around a decade of solid experience to her name having formed Tangent in the latter part of last decade. An album, also titled Tangent, followed on the Basho label, which has since released her three subsequent albums – the latest, My Iris, came out last year to enviable reviews, widely deemed a high water mark for her beatific, bucolic playing style and classically-minded approach to composition.
Gareth Williams, meanwhile, celebrates his 50th birthday this month, having been paying his dues since the early 90s. His first break was via the big-at-the-time acid jazz scene, playing keyboards for hip-hop crossover outfit Us3. Later on, he’d revert to slightly more jazz-conventional lineups, notably as pianist for Claire Martin, and has helmed two trios under his own name (most recently the Gareth Williams Power Trio, also featuring Swansea bassist and shortlived Black Sabbath member Laurence Cottle). Clowes and Williams have performed as a duo intermittently since 2013, combining standards and originals with a keenly improvisational ear and a stated desire to take risks.
Tickets: £10/£8/free NUS. Info: 029 2087 4816 (NG)