Jazz breaking news: New Era Begins For Neil Cowley Trio As Bassist Rex Horan Joins

Debuting at the Dubai Jazz Festival earlier in the year Horan’s joining marks a new departure point for the award-winning trio which has been seen by many as a jumping-off point for rock fans about to dip their toes in jazz waters. According to Neil Cowley’s manager Julie Allison the new trio has “evolved” with Neil deciding that over the coming years he would be exploring new directions, even contemplating some solo stuff which would mean him going out under his own name.

In preparation for the new album due next year Cowley (above) was looking to using electric bass as well as strings and electronics and Horan (pictured, right at Dubai with Cowley and Evan Jenkins) who plays both electric and acoustic fits the bill for this plan. The new trio gets an outing at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival which begins in just over a fortnight and following an experiment using strings at the ICA last year the NCT will be joined by a string section headed by Julian Ferraretto at Cheltenham playing new material as well as fresh arrangements of old favourites. Cowley says: “I feel I am writing for a new band, this fantastic group of musicians has inspired me and given me a new edge. Roll on 2012.”

– Stephen Graham