Ivo Neame’s music is a living, breathing contradiction – complex yet accessible, considered yet spontaneous, traditional yet forward-thinking. The London-based piano genius cut his teeth in innovative bands such as Phronesis and Marius Neset Quartet, with which he has performed on our stage. Now he will add new layers to his own compositions by expanding his own trio with American saxophone hero Walter Smith III.

Walter Smith III made a strong statement with his most recent release on Blue Note, three of us are from Houston and Reuben is not. In a review of the album, Downbeat described him as ‘one of American jazz music’s contemporary greats who’s as capable of spotlight-stealing soloing as of bandleading with emotive and artfully agile compositions’. The American saxophonist has developed under the wings of jazz greats such as Roy Haynes, Terence Blanchard and Jason Moran.

Walter Smith III tenor sax, Ivo Neame piano, Conor Chaplin bass, Marc Michel drums