By: Roy Stevens - Mon, Feb 20, 2012

I have long been an admirer of alto-saxophonist Chris Bowden and when he teamed up with bassist Ben Markland and drummer Neil Bullock to form the Tomorrow Band I immediately purchased their first album which I have played continually ever since. On Sunday evening at the Chapel at No.1, Shakespeare Street the Chris Bowden Quartet was featured, which is in effect the Tomorrow Band with the addition of one of my favourite pianists Steve Tromans. I was anxious to learn how the presence of Steve would affect such a balanced and free flowing trio. All anxieties were quickly alleviated as Steve slotted in seamlessly, many of the punters thinking the addition of the piano a significant plus. Nobody should have been surprised because when the Tomorrow Band was originally formed it was a quartet that included Steve Tromans, but when they were preparing for their first album Steve had teaching commitments in Mongolia and could not be present so the guys proceeded in trio form.

Chris has experienced health problems in the recent past but here he was back to his best. Still the fidgety anxious figure prowling about the stage but once the saxophone reaches his lips he is transformed into a most powerful and inventive improviser who gives himself little time to warm up. Steve Troman’s approach is quite different he slowly builds up his solo work, very much in the Bill Evans style, before bursting into some really groovy passages taking the appreciative audience with him all the way.

Ben Markland and Neil Bullock have a long association which was clearly evident throughout the evening, their interplay on Stomping at the Savoy was quite stunning. Ben produces a huge/full tone from his bass and is a very creative soloist and an impeccable accompanist. I have waxed lyrical about the skills of Neil Bullock many times but he just gets better and better – definitely steeped in rock influences but now matured into a most subtle jazz percussionist with lashings of humour thrown in.

A varied programme which encompassed works from Kern, Van Heusen, Coltrane etc together with some originals from Ben Markland all executed to the highest standards. Much as I enjoy their recordings this is band to see live, they prove that good serious jazz can be enormous fun at the same time. For more info visit www.stratfordjazz.org.uk.

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