Pianist Pat Thomas, drummer Mark Sanders and bassist Dominic Lash take an oblique approach to the jazz repertoire, by turns lyrical, dense and sprightly.
Their debut album ‘Skip’ (FMR Records) includes pieces by, among others, Sam Rivers, Ornette Coleman, Wayne Shorter, and Thelonious Monk.
“Not your father’s standards session.” Brian Olewnick, The Squid’s Ear
Pat Thomas
Pat Thomas studied classical piano from aged 8 and started playing jazz from the age of 16. He has since gone on to develop an utterly unique style – embracing improvisation, jazz and new music. He has played with Derek Bailey in Company Week (1990/91) and in the trio AND (with Noble), with Tony Oxley’s Quartet and Celebration Orchestra and in duo with Lol Coxhill. “Sartorially shabby as Thomas may be, and on first impression even rather stolid, he has a somewhat imperious charisma that’s immediately amplified when he starts to play. Unlike other pianists whose virtuosity seems to be racing ahead of their thought processes Thomas always seems supremely in command of his gift, and his playing, no matter how free and ready to tangle with abstraction, always carries a charge of authoritative exactitude.” The Jazzmann
Mark Sanders
Mark Sanders’ precise and propulsive drumming has graced projects with, to name but a few, Evan Parker, Jah Wobble, Broadcast, Agusti Fernandez, John Butcher, Roswell Rudd, and Otomo Yoshihde.
“The other special ingredient is the ubiquitous, diverse and constantly creative drummer Mark Sanders, who always outdoes himself, whether playing with restraint or erupting like a dynamo”. Bruce L Gallenter, Downtown Music Gallery. NY
Dominic Lash
Dominic Lash has performed with Tony Conrad and Evan Parker; currently active ensembles include his quartet with Alexander Hawkins, Javier Carmona and Ricardo Tejero, a duo with Alex Ward, a trio with John Butcher and John Russell and The Convergence Quartet (with Taylor Ho Bynum, Harris Eisenstadt and Alexander Hawkins). He also co-leads The Set Ensemble (an experimental music group mainly devoted to the work of composers from the Wandelweiser collective).