Double Bill

Paul Towndrow & Steve Hamilton Duo // Paul Towndrow's London Scots

Event Has Passed

Last Show: Wednesday 31 st August 2016

PizzaExpress Jazz Club (Soho)

Join Paul Towndrow (Alto Saxophone) and Steve Hamilton (Piano) for this special album launch concert, part of a double bill of Paul Towndrow projects. In the intimate duo setting, compositions and improvisations are delivered in their purest form, allowing for the equal co-existence of musical architecture, and deep space. Crossover influences range broadly from Miles Davis to Debussy, from early jazz to celtic folksong, and from world music to free improvisation. The second set showcases some fiery, high octane jazz featuring Scottish ex-pat jazz stars Corrie Dick (Drums) and Calum Gourlay (Double Bass). Expect sparks to fly as ‘Paul Towndrow’s London Scots’ reunite over the border!

The second set showcases some fiery, high octane jazz featuring Scottish ex-pat jazz stars Corrie Dick (Drums) and Calum Gourlay (Double Bass). Expect sparks to fly as ‘Paul Towndrow’s London Scots’ reunite over the border!

“A turbo-charged amalgam of all your saxophone heroes"

The Guardian

“His album confirms the contemporary Scottish scene's membership of the world league.” 4 Stars **** John Fordham, The Guardian 

“It's musicians like this that make one so optimistic for the future of jazz” Jazzwise 

”Just full of excitement, full of edge and playing with all of the heart that the music needs.” Julian Joseph BBC Radio 3

 "I have been an admirer for some time of Paul's assertive style on alto and soprano saxophones and he leads a very  integrated swinging quartet.He is an excellent representative of the superb Scottish jazz scene." Tony Dudley-Evans (UK jazz promoter)

Paul Towndrow (Alto Saxophone) and Steve Hamilton (Piano) have collaborated for over 15 years in a range of ensemble projects. In this intimate duo setting, compositions and improvisations are delivered in their purest form, allowing for the equal co-existence of musical architecture and deep space. Influences range broadly from Miles Davis to Debussy, and from early jazz to celtic folksong. 

In recent years Paul has been perhaps best known as a founder member of the multi-award winning four-piece horn section Brass Jaw, and as a member of Scotland’s flagship jazz orchestra, The SNJO. He is well established on the UK jazz scene and has toured and recorded with a range of small group projects since 2002, and winning multiple awards at The 2003 World Saxophone Competition.  Having spent his formative musical years studying on both sides of the Atlantic, Towndrow has become one the UK’s busiest musicians, touring and performing with a wide range of artists including Benny Golson, Kurt Elling, John Scofield, Branford Marsalis,The Bad Plus, Ben E King,Jack Bruce, Martha Reeves, and others. He has been described in The Guardian as“A turbo-charged amalgam of all your saxophone heroes!” 

Steve Hamilton is one of Europe’s most creative and experienced contemporary pianists, most recently touring the world as keyboardist with drumming legend Billy Cobham. His reputation as a piano ‘A-Lister’ is justified through his performances and recordings with Bill Bruford’s Earthworks, Pete King,Sax Appeal, Pee Wee Ellis, Freddie Hubbard, Frank Gambale, Van Morrison and many others.

Show Set Up

First Set 

Paul Towndrow (alto saxophone)

Steve Hamilton (piano)

Second Set  

Paul Towndrow (alto saxophone)

Steve Hamilton (piano)

Calum Gourlay (double bass)

Corrie Dick (drums)