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Trevor Watts

SPLINTERS is remembered, indeed lionized, by knowing jazz fans as the monumental musical meeting of tenor giant Tubby Hayes, trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, saxophonist Trevor Watts, pianist Stan Tracey, bassist Jeff Clyne, and legendary drummers John Stevens and Phil Seamen. SPLIT THE DIFFERENCE is the rare recording Trevor Watts made of the group’s first public appearance, at London’s 100 Club on May 22nd, 1972. Here is our first opportunity to experience this leaderless ensemble of British jazz greats, with their special musical personalities summoned to create a group music with robust telepathic energy, as informed by the ‘jam’ history of modern jazz. The rollercoaster of emotionally extroverted playing, as it boils over a continuous torrent of exuberant double drumming from John Stevens and Phil Seamen, is a wondrous journey for the ear to behold. On that night the musicians were joyfully cajoling each other, and their exhortations are preserved in a dynamic recording that allows the listener to bear witness to such a once in a lifetime event. Two extended sets of continuous collective improvisations comprise this full length CD release, and our remastering care was guided by the sonic requirements for the music itself, which was first captured on a cassette tape recording. Including personal reflections from Trevor Watts, and 100 Club concert photographs by Jak Kilby, SPLINTERS: SPLIT THE DIFFERENCE guarantees an experience to be filed under essential.

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“What a session! The dynamism and artistry of each musician is wonderful and I was busy foot-tapping throughout. I absolutely loved it.”

Nick Evans, trombonist/composer