Frank Harrison Trio at Pizza On The Park

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Following their critically-acclaimed debut CD, First Light, the Frank Harrison Trio will launch their follow-up album, You've Changed, at Pizza on the Park, London, at 7.30 pm on Thursday, 24 May, with American guitarist Garrison Fewell. You've Changed was recorded in Italy with Harrison's Trio - featuring Aidan O'Donnell (bass) and Stephen Keogh (drums) - and world-renowned guitarist Louis Stewart. This generation-spanning album was conceived by Keogh - who has played extensively with Stewart in the past - and who co-produced it with Harrison. The CD is the first release on Ian McLaren's new Desert Island Jazz Productions label.

To promote the new album, the Trio are touring the UK and Europe, hosting saxophonists Julian Arguelles and Peter King and vocalist Tina May, as well as guitarist Fewell. In contrast to his work with Gilad Atzmon's Orient House Ensemble, Harrison, along with Keogh and bassist Aidan O'Donnell, have created an understated, yet intense new sound. Critics have drawn comparisons with Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, Brad Mehldau and even Eric Satie.

Frank Harrison was born in Oxford in 1978. He took up the piano at 11, and began playing gigs when he was 15. In 1994 he won the soloist award in the Daily Telegraph Young Jazz Competition, and in 1996 came second in Young Jazz Musician of the Year. After taking up a scholarship at Berklee School Of Music, Boston, he returned to England and joined Gilad Atzmon's band. In 2000 they started the Orient House Ensemble, with whom Frank has recorded four albums on Enja Records, including Exile, BBC Jazz Album of the Year 2003. The band regularly tours Europe, playing at major jazz and world music festivals. Frank has also performed with Julian Siegel, Don Weller, Alan Barnes, John Etheridge and Iain Ballamy.

Aidan O'Donnell studied Jazz bass at Birmingham Conservatoire from 1999-2003. After finishing his degree, he moved back to Scotland where he joined both the Tommy Smith Quartet and the Colin Steele Quintet. He moved to London in November 2003, where he joined Alan Skidmore's Quartet, and began freelancing with a wide variety of musicians. He has performed with visiting artists such as Dave Binney, Charles McPherson and David Berkman, and appeared on 6 albums as a sideman.

Stephen Keogh, born in Ireland, followed his studies there with private lessons in London and New York. He played as percussionist with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, contemporary music ensembles and many visiting jazz artists including Sonny Fortune, Eddie Locklaw Davis, Jimmy Witherspoon, Pat La Barbera, Louis Stewart, and James Moody.

A move to London in 1988 led to tours and recordings with many British and American jazz artists including Stan Tracey, Charles McPherson, Art Farmer, Jason Rebello, Jean Toussaint and Benny Carter. Since moving to Barcelona in 1990, Stephen has worked all over the world with many great musicians including Johnny Griffin, Lee Konitz, Phil Woods, Harrold Land, Peter King, Brad Mehldau, Mark Turner, Herb Ellis, Benny Golson and Steve Grossman. He a member of the European Jazz Piano Trio led by Bill Charlap, Peter King Quartet and co-leads the Urban Jazz Quintet and Urban Jazz Ensemble.

Photo by David Sinclair

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