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 UK Jazz movement of the moment.
Featuring Simon Read on double bass, and Will Glaser on drums, the band mainly perform Sam's original material, notably including the music from his recent album release “Adrift,” recorded in duet with Lee Konitz/Ben Wendel pianist Dan Tepfer, and which Marcus O’Dair has called ‘astonishing.’ Described as “compelling” and “reaching far beyond the jazz loop” by the Guardian's 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 PizzaExpress 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.
