Spike Wells - Reverence (2007)

This piano trio unites three leading musicians on the British jazz scene, drummer Spike Wells, pianist Gwilym Simcock and bassist Malcolm Creese. They perform their own arrangements of a selection of jazz standards together with two originals.

Saxophonist Bobby Wellins says of this recording: "It is my firm belief that, in improvised music, the thrill of listening lies in the players using their talents to play together as a group. This CD of Wells, Simcock and Creese is the epitome of what I love about the real thing. Harmonic and rhythmic invention from Gwilym, percussive solos and accompaniment from Spike and wonderful bass solos and counterpoint from Malcolm; this is a brilliant CD."

Drummer Spike Wells' career as a professional musician began in 1968 when he was invited to join the Tubby Hayes quartet. Since then he has played with Humphrey Lyttelton, Ronnie Scott, Stan Getz, Zoot Sims and Roland Kirk and he backed many visiting American soloists as the house drummer at Ronnie Scott's. More recently he has been a member of the latest Bobby Wellins and Alan Barnes quartets.

Pianist Gwilym Simcock is one of the brightest young players on the UK jazz scene. He has performed with Kenny Wheeler, Iain Ballamy, Bill Bruford, Pete King and Don Weller, as well as leading his own groups. He has received numerous awards including, in 2005, the 'Rising Star' prize at both the British Jazz Awards and the BBC Jazz Awards.

The trio is completed by Malcom Creese who has been the bassist of choice for the likes of Cleo Laine, John Dankworth and Stan Tracey and he has also worked with Lee Konitz, George Shearing, Art Farmer, George Benson, Tony Coe, Mose Allison, Johnny Griffin and many more. Malcolm performs regularly with his innovative trio Acoustic Triangle, which he formed in 2000.

Personnel:
Spike Wells - (drums and percussion), Gwilym Simcock - (piano), Malcolm Creese - (double bass)