JAMES BUCKHAM 

PIANIST o ORGANIST o EDUCATOR

THE JAMES BUCKHAM PIANO TRIO

THE JAMES BUCKHAM PIANO TRIO IS:

TWM DYLAN - Double Bass

Originally hailing from Aberystwyth, Wales, Twm is currently based in London studying for a Masters degree in jazz performance on the Double Bass at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, having graduated with a BA (Hons) in Music from University of York in 2014. Twm’s career has already been incredibly varied. He began early, forming ska-funk band The Unknown in his teens, who eventually reached the final of BBC Radio Cymru’s C2 Battle of the Bands. He now performs in a wide range of styles all over the UK with acts such as singer-songwriter Shivum Sharma to jazz groups such as The Rob Griffin/Tim Wearden Quintet. Exciting new ventures include a tour of Ireland with swing band Belleville Hot Club and a composers’ residency in Sicily with the Can Obert project.

BEN HANDYSIDES - Drums

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JAMES BUCKHAM - Piano, Band Leader, Composer

INSPIRATION FROM THE LINEAGE OF PIANO TRIOS, FROM BILL EVANS TO BRAD MEHLDAU, WITH A DEEP COMMITMENT TO IMPROVISATION AND GROUP INTERACTION.

The James Buckham Piano Trio is James' primary musical ensemble and main outlet for personal musical expression. James founded the group in 2015 as an outlet for new compositions and experimentation with concepts of improvisation.

The group draws much inspiration for their treatment of the piano trio format from the lineage of piano trios stemming from Bill Evans through Keith Jarrett to Brad Mehldau, whilst not being afraid to drop in a hard Peterson style swinger when the set demands it. Improvisation always remains important to the group and the lines between improvisation and set music are often blurred.

James' writing demonstrates the wide range of music and musicians that have influenced him, including from his background as a classical pianist. It is music that is highly melodic, often folk-like, in the vein of Keith Jarrett and Pat Metheny, with harmony and soundscapes from Debussy and Ravel through Bill Evans, with a healthy dose of deep groove tracks that sound like a fusion of John Schofield and Tower of Power passed by Chick Corea.

The band also perform music from the canon of the jazz piano trio, whilst keeping interactivity between the players at the heart of their perfomances.