Over the past few years the Dorian Ford trio has been making a significant contribution to the London Jazz scene, working in a range of venues and with a broad Jazz repertoire. In addition they have created several unique concert series at The Space and at Map Café where they performed piano trio music ranging from country-gospel and be-bop to Bill Evans and original material, to capacity audiences. The Map gigs were particularly successful in establishing Map as a viable and ongoing venue and demonstrating the enormous importance of a week-long residency for a jazz performance.
Since 2007, Dorian has worked with the following players in the trio format:
Tom Herbert (bass), Ben Hazleton (bass), Steve Rose (bass), Geoff Gascoyne (bass), Neville Malcolm (bass), Dave Mannington (bass), Mario Castronari (bass), Riaan Vosloo (bass), Tim Giles (drums), Milo Fell (drums), Seb de Krom (drums), Pat Levett (drums), Iian Pattinson (drums), Saleem Raman (drums), Winston Clifford (drums), Rod Youngs (drums). The present trio, Mick Hutton and Tom Skinner, came about via Dorian’s long personal and musical association with drummer Tom Skinner. Whilst on a recording session together, Tom mentioned Mick Hutton’s interest in playing the music of Bill Evans. Tom and Mick’s association goes back to the Martin Speake band (which on occasion would also invite Paul Motian, drummer with Bill’s Evans’ 60’s trio, to play). With this present line up, the trio has played Lower Ground bar, Ivy House in conjuction with Jazz FM, The New Boisdale for JazzFM, and Ronnie Scott’s as part of the Everybody Digs Piano Trios festival.
“An incandescent piano trio.” John Fordham, The Guardian
“Superb and tasteful pianist with purity” Octave Magazine
“Highlights include fine renditions of Evans originals ‘Walkin Up’ and ‘34 Skidoo’ with the weight of Ford’s piano playing very attractive and Evans-like, although he comes across as faithful to Evans’ style without being entirely slavish. Ford also introduces quotes from the pianist’s original improvisations, but alongside more contemporary influences like Keith Jarrett…. The proof is in the pudding and Ford has come up with the goods here.”
Selwyn Harris, Jazzwise
“Dorian Ford is some kind of genius. An assured and intelligent improviser, his interpretation of Gershwin’s Embraceable managed to invoke both the spirit of Charlie Parker and the slow movement of Bach’s Italian Concerto. A really musical performance.” Hugh Wood (Composer)
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