Bristol-based jazz fusion trio King Heron — Jacob Houghton (guitar), Cerith Evans (guitar) and Cameron Macdougall (drums) — features three different and distinct musical personalties, who through a modern jazz sensibility and a focus on tight grooves, mesh disparate influences into a unique, difficult to pigeonhole style.
The trio supported their debut EP, last year’s Troika with regular shows at Bristol’s grassroots and indie venues, including Trinity Centre, Thekla, The Gallimaufry and The Jam Jar. Building upon a growing profile, the trio went on to play bars, clubs and art centers across the UK, opening for the likes of Oscar Jerome, Mdou Moctar, and Lydian Collective. They’ve also played at Bristol Harbour Festival.
The rising Bristol trio’s first single “Stasis” is the first bit of new material since the release of Troika EP — and it also marks the first in a series of singles that the band plans to release this year. Featuring a guest appearance from Andrew Neil Hayes on sax, “Stasis” is rooted in the trio’s penchant for a trippy and insistent grooves paired Hayes’ soulful horn solo in a composition that seems to draw from funk, dub and jazz fusion in a seamless fashion. While displaying the musicians dexterous musicianship, the composition also manages to display the their instinctual ability to know when to lead, when to follow and when to make space.
“It was a real honour to record with Andrew — he’s a bit of a Bristol legend and someone that I’ve looked up to for a long time,” King Heron’s Jacob Houghton says. “He came in and blew our heads off. Playing with someone of his calibre made everyone raise their game, and created a special energy in the room.”
The accompanying video captures the Bristol-based trio and Hayes in the studio performing the song. And it captures the instant simpatico held by each of the musicians in the room.
Discover more from The Joy of Violent Movement
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.