Alexander Hawkins is a pianist who is ‘unlike anything else in modern creative music’ (Ni Kantu) and whose recent work has reached a ‘dazzling new apex’ (Downbeat). Whist audiences are perhaps more familiar with his Ensemble – ‘one of the most distinctive in modern jazz’ (The Jazzmann) – this evening presents a relatively newer formation: Hawkins’ personal take on the classic piano trio format, bringing to bear the same kaleidoscope of influences which have seen him collaborating regularly with musicians ranging from Mulatu Astatke to Marshall Allen, Joe McPhee, Louis Moholo-Moholo and many others besides.
Alongside Hawkins’ piano are Neil Charles (double bass) and Tom Skinner (drums), both established bandleaders with a bewildering array of credits, both live and on record (Jack DeJohnette, Owiny Sigoma, Mingus Big Band, Sons of Kemet, etc.)