Multi-award-winning young Glasgow quartet Square One appear for Jazz at St James in Leith on Saturday 16th March. The concert in the church by Leith Links comes hot on the heels of an Austrian tour with American saxophonist Andy Middleton, who joined the group on their latest album, Double Bind.
In addition to winning the much-coveted and prestigious David Whittingham Award for young jazz talent in 2015, Square One features no fewer than three holders of the Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year title, guitarist Joe Williamson, bassist David Bowden and pianist Peter Johnstone. And not to be outdone, drummer Stephen Henderson was chosen as one of leading jazz magazine Jazzwise’s Ones to Watch in 2018.
All four musicians are graduates of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s jazz course and since turning professional all have made a big impression, not just with Square One but with other groups and leading figures in the jazz world. Johnstone currently plays with saxophonist Tommy Smith’s widely acclaimed ‘Coltrane’ quartet. Williamson features in one of the UK’s hottest bands of the moment, Graham Costello’s STRATA as well as leading his own group, and Bowden and Henderson can be heard with the world music influenced Mezcla and pianist Fergus McCreadie’s trio.
“Getting time for Square One can be difficult, with all the other work we do,” says Williamson. “But we’ve learned to manage our diaries and touring with Andy Middleton before recording Double Bind with him last Spring was a great thrill for everyone in the band.”
Middleton, whose extensive CV includes recordings with jazz legend Lionel Hampton and David Bowie collaborator Maria Schneider’s orchestra, won’t make the Jazz at St James gig but given the success of their dates together in Austria, Williamson hopes they’ll be teaming up with him again before too long.
Following Square One, Jazz at St James welcomes guitarist Graeme Stephen with his Letters for Peace project for guitar and string trio on Friday 12th April. South Africa-born pianist Philip Clouts brings his groove-based quartet with its Indian, Eastern
European and African influences to St James on Saturday 19 May 2019.
Tickets can be reserved by emailing jazzatstjames18@gmail.com
and all concerts operate a BYOB policy as well as an honesty bar.
