Jazz: Ross Hicks Trio

Ross Hicks is a young Cardiff  based pianist who made a great impression on a short tour with saxophonist Simon Spillett last summer:

“Hicks was a revelation, ideas emerged and developed and injected drama even as the pieces unfolded at near terminal velocity” – Mike Collins [jazzyblogman].

Debuting his upcoming album ‘Three Elms’, Ross and his talented co-conspirators will play a mix of original compositions and some other contemporary tunes. The album is a series of original compositions and is the result of a wide array of influences with an original spin – “an intelligent and intriguing piece of writing” – The Jazz Mann.

Ross is a graduate of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama now working as a full-time freelance musician and has formed his trio featuring two of the Be-Bop Club’s favourite players.

Alex Goodyear is a UK-based drummer, bandleader, and composer. Since graduating from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2019, he has returned to Berkshire and has become a regular of the UK Jazz scene, working with artists including John Law, Simon Spillett, Iain Ballamy, Sam Crockatt, Alex Merritt, Steve Fishwick, Greg Abate, Jake McMurchie, Denny Ilett, Alan Barnes, Huw Warren, George Cooper, Rebecca Nash, Libor Smoldas, Nick Malcolm, and Henrik Jensen.

Nick Kacal is a bassist originally from Trinidad, but has roots in London and a presence on the Manchester but now residing in South Wales. After studying with Tony Hougham, the principle bass of the Covent Garden Opera, he moved to London and has played as a sideman on the scene playing predominantly jazz and acoustic folk, occasionally touring to places such as Cape Verde, France, and Spain. He formed his own group, Guerillasound, releasing a CD in 2008 and touring successfully in Japan.

Ross Hicks – piano, Nick Kacal – bass, Alex Goodyear – drums