QOW Trio: The Hold Up (Ubuntu Music)
Riley Stone Lonergan: tenor saxophone
Eddie Myer: double bass
Spike Wells: drums
QOW Trio is a sax, double bass and drums trio consisting of up-and-coming tenor saxophonist Riley Stone Lonergan, veteran drummer (and priest) Spike Wells, and bandleader and bassist Eddie Myer (who has worked with, among others, Turin Brakes and Sia). The group is named after the closing tune on Dewey Redman’s famous The Ear Of the Behearer, which they also covered on their first album, the live recording QOW Trio - the Album.
Solid, memorable melodic themes that lead into bop inspired explorations played with plenty of zest and zip seems to be what QOW Trio is about. That’s certainly the case with the recently released The Hold Up, their second full length and first studio album. The album consists of a handful of enjoyable originals together with lively interpretations of tunes by Billy Strayhorn, John Patton, Jackie McLean, Lee Morgan, Thelonious Monk, Kenny Dorham (“Straight Ahead”, leading into a short take on the “QOW”-theme), and, fittingly, Johnny Mercer’s “I’m An Old Cowhand”. A tune famously done by Sonny Rollins for his 1957 classic trio album Way Out West.
And Rollins’ trio work is what I’m reminded of the most when I listen to The Hold Up. Music that is similarly tuneful, spirited and witty, but played with a slightly modernized bounce.
You were not kidding about the Rollins trio likeness. I had not read your description--I always just immediately add your selection to a playlist--and I just listened to it, determining halfway through to message you and exclaim, "This guy steams and thinks like Sonny!" Great record! I'd love to WATCH Rollins listen to it!