Rising piano talent Eddie Gripper gets Soho swinging with Home album launch

Eddie Gripper is rapidly establishing a reputation for himself as one of the UK’s most exciting young jazz pianists. With an aura of maturity beyond his years, Gripper’s music blends the intimate melodicism of Bill Evans with the emotive storytelling of Keith Jarrett. Performing live at Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho for the launch of his recently released debut album Home, Gripper was joined by fellow Cardiff University alumni Ursula Harrison on double bass and Patrick Barrett-Donlon on drums.

The trio performed all seven original compositions from Home, showcasing Gripper’s refined improvisational abilities alongside his equally impressive compositional craft. Wistful lyricism, rhythmic playfulness, and impressionistic harmonies were the common threads that unified these compositions into a cohesive whole. Yet, despite these strong similarities, each tune possessed a unique tonal palette, ranging from the fragile optimism of ‘Before The Storm’ to the contemplative melancholy of ‘Lament’ and the carefree joy of the title track. Stories of home, family, grief, and loss were ever-present inspirations for Gripper, nowhere more beautifully poignant than his solo piano composition ‘To The Moon’, a tune dedicated to his grandmother who sadly passed away last year.

Throughout, bassist Harrison was given plenty of space to contribute melodically with nimble, darting lines across the upper and lower registers of the fingerboard. Barrett-Donlon’s delicate brushwork demonstrated a fluid command of tempo that at times gave the trio a Classical rubato quality.

Gripper’s introspective compositions were interspersed with a varied selection of standards that provided a more upbeat and funkier contrast in style. Highlights included imaginative interpretations of Michael Brecker’s ‘Spherical’ and Cedar Walton’s ‘Martha’s Prize’, alongside others tunes from Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, and even Paul Simon. Perhaps this eclectic choice of jazz repertoire may contain clues as to the future stylistic developments of this exciting young trio.