Tom Barford – tenor sax
Alex Hitchcock – tenor sax
Ferg Ireland – double bass
James Maddren – drums
Rising star saxophonists Tom Barford and Alex Hitchcock form a partnership that Jazzwise has described as ‘a fascinating echo of the tough/tender tenor dichotomy that stretches back to Rollins/Coltrane, Young/Hawkins and beyond’. They are joined by a powerful rhythm section of firebrand bassist Ferg Ireland and first-call drummer James Maddren in a pared-down chordless quartet that encourages risk-taking as much as earthy melodies and rhythmic fireworks. Tom Barford was the recipient of the 2017 Kenny Wheeler Prize and will release his debut album on Edition Records later this year. Peter Whittingham Award-winning saxophonist Alex Hitchcock has led his quintet at Umbria Jazz Festival, Love Supreme and Ronnie Scott’s in 2018.
‘This is adventurous, risk-taking music. With no chordal instrument to tie them down, the twin front liners are free to roam at will, pushing hard against the shifting rhythmic and harmonic boundaries sketched out by the endlessly creative team of Fergus Ireland on bass and James Maddren on drums’ – Jazzwise
Tom Barford: ‘We are witnessing the birth of a new star in the jazz firmament’ –Evan Parker
Alex Hitchcock: ‘A fantastic talent… undoubtedly one of the stars of the future’ – Helen Mayhew, JazzFM
Review: https://www.jazzwisemagazine.com/breaking-news/14852-alex-hitchcock-tom-barford-quartet-s-twin-tenor-frontline-fires-at-the-verdict