Two unique solo sets, two virtuosic performers. Drummer Alyn Cosker and pianist Brian Kellock provide a treat in this intimate double bill.
Both Brian Kellock and Alyn Cosker are well established stars of the Scottish jazz scene, and neither musician is a stranger to Jazz At The Merchants House.
However, this performance will cast both master musicians in a different light, as they present engaging and thrilling solo sets that are sure to have the audience mesmerised from start to finish.
Both engaging, both unique, and both true masters of their instruments.
Brian Kellock - Piano
Brian Kellock is one of Scotland's world class performers, recognised as a stellar piano talent across the world by musicians such as James Morrison and Michael Moore. Equally at home with mainstream and contemporary jazz styles, Brian plays in the Oscar Peterson/ Monty Alexander genre that is closest to his heart. His album Something's Got To Give, is a wonderful CD that shows off Kellock and his trio at their best in a fantastic set of standards popularised by Fred Astaire.
Born in Edinburgh, Kellock graduated with a B Music (Hons) from the University of Edinburgh in 1986. Since then, he has been establishing his position as one of the top piano players in the UK jazz scene, working with Herb Geller, Sheila Jordan, and Art Farmer.
From 1995, Kellock has been a member of Australian trumpeter James Morrison's Band.
His main project is his own Trio, which first appeared as the rhythm section for seminal Scottish band, the John Rae Collective, since 1988. This line-up, featuring Kenny Ellis on bass and John Rae on drums, has been performing together ever since. In 1998, the band released their first recording together – Something's Got To Give – a set of standards popularised by Fred Astaire.
Some of Kellock's popular songs played include: "You Must Believe in Spring," "Rhapsody in Blue," "The Way You Look Tonight," "Tokyo Express," "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow," "Lennies Pennies," "In the Bleak Midwinter," and "Young and Foolish."
Alyn Cosker - Drums
Scottish drummer Alyn Cosker is a well-established and much in-demand musician and recording artist with a growing international reputation.
After graduating with a BA (Hons) degree in applied music at Strathclyde University in Glasgow, he became a regular feature in the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra in 2004. Through the SNJO, and by following his own music career, Alyn has worked alongside many professional artists throughout the world.
His jazz pedigree includes work with Tommy Smith, Jim Mullen, Courtney Pine, Larry Carlton, Bheki Mseleku, Annie Ross, Frank Gambale, Clare Teal, Brian Kellock, Joe Locke, Laurence Cottle, Mark Nightingale, Joe Lovano, John Scofield, David Liebman, Gary Burton, Geoffrey Keezer, Arild Andersen, Makoto Ozone, Randy Brecker, Branford Marsalis, Bob Mintzer, Benny Golson, Mike Stern, Bobby Wellins, and saxophonist Bill Evans.
As well as being heavily involved in the jazz scene, through his love for music from all genres Alyn has worked all over the world with a variety of different artists. From performing with the SNJO in New York, to working with Eddi Reader in Osaka (Japan), he has become one of the UK's most versatile drummers.
He has recorded and played all over Europe with folk-rock band Wolfstone, deputised for leading American drummer Gary Novak in Joe Locke's Four Walls of Freedom band, provided the groove for blue-eyed soul hit makers Hue & Cry and featured on the Mercury Prize nominated album Ballad of the Broken Seas by Isobel Campbell (Belle & Sebastian) and Mark Lanegan (Queens of the Stone Age). He has also appeared on many albums by traditional music artists including Capercaille, Michael McGoldrick, Karen Matheson, Wolfstone, Maeve Mackinnon, Duncan Lyall, and Angus Lyon.
In 2009, Alyn released his first solo album, Lyn's Une for Linn Records with his trio, which comprised Alyn, Ross Hamilton (bass) and David Dunsmuir (guitar), and special guests including Jason Rebello, Tommy Smith, Paul Towndrow and Ryan Quigley. Following the album's success Alyn has continued to develop his own music and his career as a bandleader, with a particular highlight coming when his group opened for John McLaughlin & the 4th Dimension at Edinburgh Jazz Festival in 2016 and received praise and encouragement from McLaughlin himself.
Alyn released his second album, KPF, in early 2018 and continues to star with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, recently lending his mastery of rhythm for the ensemble's guests, vocalists Kurt Elling and Kenny Washington and vibes virtuoso Joe Locke.
