Sam Leak – Piano
Simon Read – Double Bass
Will Glaser – Drums
Sam Leak is a London-based Jazz pianist described by JazzFM’s Helen Mayhew as ‘One of the brightest stars in the Jazz piano galaxy, a heavenly improviser, and a brilliant prospect for the future.’ His album “Aquarium” was one of MOJO Magazine’s ‘Top Ten International Releases of the Year.’
The Sam Leak Trio perform contemporary jazz with a gospel-tinged, and folk-inspired, freedom and abandon. Conjuring up the joy and emotion typified by Paul Bley and Keith Jarrett’s 1960s trios, the ensemble maintains a sense of the tradition whilst performing music that is very much rooted in the present. Featuring Simon Read on double bass, and Will Glaser on drums, the band perform a mixture of Leak’s compositions and some lesser played compositions from their favourite musicians. Tonight the trio will be launching Leak’s new album “Adrift,” recorded for Jellymould Jazz in duet with Dan Tepfer, described by Marcus O’Dair as ‘astonishing.’ Described as “compelling” and “reaching far beyond the jazz loop” (John Fordham), ‘Adrift’ is a unique composition for two pianos that explores the range of colours and possibilities offered by the unconventional lineup. Sometimes densely complex, at others eerily sparse; the writing is engaging and melodic, conjuring up images of a snow-brushed New York in winter. The composition was originally written for 2014’s Steinway festival, held at London’s Pizza Express Jazz Club. The success of this performance led the pianists to record the album at the Yamaha Piano Rooms in Midtown New York in January 2016.
“Multi-faceted and smart as a pin, this is poetic chamber jazz of a very high order” – Chris Ingham, MOJO Magazine ****
“This is assured and sophisticated acoustic jazz with deep roots in the tradition, that knows exactly what it’s trying to do – and succeeds” – Daniel Spicer, BBC Music Magazine
“The Royal Academy of Music’s jazz programme has produced a remarkable crop of newcomers in recent times: notably the Mercury-nominated pianists Gwilym Simcock and Kit Downes. Now comes Sam Leak, an artist of comparable promise…Leak is a subtle storyteller who keeps the grooves and colours changing.” – John Fordham,
The Guardian On “Adrift”: “Sam Leak and Dan Tepfer are two of the best pianists of their generation, and their convergence on this recording is astonishing.” – Marcus O’Dair
“Dan Tepfer and Sam Leak share, anticipate, and enhance each other’s thoughts with a subtly crafted empathy that reaches far beyond the jazz loop” – John Fordham
“entirely gripping from beginning to end, achieving an imaginatively coherent overlap between lyrical jazz and classical tradition” – Selwyn Harris