Though better known as one of the UK’s leading and most decorated poets, Don Paterson has had a second career as guitarist, and moved to London in the mid-80s to join the free-improv scene, where he took lessons with the great guitar maverick Derek Bailey.
For twelve years he co-led the Celtic-jazz ensemble Lammas with saxophonist Tim Garland, playing classical and 12-string guitars and sharing stages and studios with jazz luminaries including trumpet master Kenny Wheeler, vibraphone virtuoso Joe Locke, and pianist Jason Rebello.
For his new project, Paterson has turned his unusual fingerstyle technique to electric as well as acoustic guitar to play in a group featuring some of the UK’s leading jazz musicians.
Fellow guitarist Graeme Stephen is a hugely distinctive player whose constant searches for new inspiration have led him into the Eastern European folk tradition as well as a mastery of looping. Stephen also features in the European collective LoLanders and is a mainstay of the award-winning Playtime sessions.
Saxophonist Laura Macdonald has the distinction of having one led a band that included both David Bowie’s final collaborator Donny McCaslin and Pat Metheny drummer and Birdman soundtrack composer, Antonio Sanchez. She has recorded enthusiastically received albums with New York pianist David Berkman, drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts and bassist James Genus.
Steve Hamilton is an extraordinarily resourceful keyboards player, currently working with drumming legend Billy Cobham, and a former member of Bill Bruford’s Earthworks. He has worked with Paterson for many years, building a great understanding, and his resume also includes gigs with Ray Charles and Freddie Hubbard, among many other notable musicians.
