Still Waters was born out a long association and friendship going back 40 years between myself and Britain’s premiere bassist Dave Green. We both felt that the time had arrived to play music of our choice together with some of the finest jazz musicians working in Britain today. As a result Still Waters is now one of the most accomplished and creative bands around.
Although a classic quintet of two front line and rhythm, Still Waters plays radical and original music, ranging from gentle, quietly pastoral and melodic music, reflecting the band’s name, through to dynamic, free improvisation.
I am immensely proud of the band. The main thing to say about it is that it is a BAND and not just a collection of individual musicians; in other words the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The level of creativity, adventure and interplay on gigs never ceases to astonish me; no two gigs are ever the same and this is truer of Still Waters than of any other band I’ve ever played in.
Dave Green, is without doubt the foundation of Still Waters. He has a way of finding the right thing to do at exactly the right time. Whatever else goes on around him he always keeps it right there, allowing everybody else maximum freedom.
Paul Clarvis is the most idiosyncratic, original and creative drummer in British jazz who, together with pianist Barry Green’s ability to move from straight ahead playing to wayward free improvisation, makes the rhythm section an absolute joy. I love its ability to go anywhere it chooses to go.
My partner on the front line, Pete Hurt, is not only a wonderful and inventive saxophone player but also an all round accomplished master musician and one of Britain’s very greatest composers of music for big band.
Line-up:
Henry Lowther – Trumpet
Pete Hurt – Tenor Saxophone
Barry Green – Piano
Dave Green – Double Bass
Paul Clarvis – Drums