Fascinating rhythm at Warwick Arts Centre romp

The Alex Wilson Trio, Warwick Arts Centre studio, November 7.

FEW in the audience sat still during this jazz romp of an evening. Heads were nodding or feet were tapping along every line of seats.

Pianist and band leader Alex Wilson just keeps on reinventing himself for each new album.

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Now based in Geneva, he’s regularly tours in Britain and on Wednesday was delighted to see members of his Midlands family among the enthusiastic arts centre audience.

Best known for his larger ensembles, this more inimate trio of himself, double bass player Davide Montavani and drummer Frank Tontoh is a new and sucessful departure for Alex and offered a chance for all three to present their latest compositions, like The Quest and Arab Spring.

But before moving on to their own work, they got the on-stage party rolling with a piece by Sting - We Work The Black Seam.

Alex is still basking in the fame of his highly praised Mali Latino project which was headlined at the London Jazz Festival and topped the Songlines World Album of the Year chart. For many he can do no wrong.

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Although for a piano-led trio, I wasn’t the only member of the crowd who found Tontoh’s truly amazing drumming a little too dominant throughout many of the pieces.

Delightfully, the group ended the evening with a return to Alex’s favourite Latin roots and a terrific Salsa compilation that sent everyone home smiling.

A great night’s entertainment.

Barbara Goulden

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