Trio JDM, featuring Alex Clarke

Friday 12th March 2027
Crookes Social Club
8.00-10.45 pm, doors open 7.20 pm

Alex Clarke – saxophone
Dave Walsh – drums
James Taylor – guitar
Martin Longhawn – organ

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Described by Jazzwise as “high-calibre Hammond trio jazz…retro-sounding but with a modern edge”, Dave Walsh’s Trio JDM draws inspiration from the legacy of Jimmy Smith and Larry Young.

For this hometown gig at Sheffield Jazz, trio becomes quartet with the addition of one the UK’s most in-demand saxophonists, Alex Clarke (BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year finalist 2020, British Jazz Award Rising Star Award 2019).

“Live, this was a deep groove experience. Think Larry Young, Wes Montgomery, Jimmy Smith. They are past masters of bebop…stalwarts very much of that lineage – a style of straight-ahead jazz that resonates.”
International Times

Alex Clarke (saxophone)

Praised for her intelligent ear for harmony and a deep knowledge of repertoire across a broad spectrum of styles, Alex’s sound is steeped in the tradition of bebop. Her total respect for the heritage of the music can be heard in a fiery, melodic approach inspired by the likes of Phil Woods, Cannonball Adderley and Vincent Herring. As a bandleader, Alex’s quartet features some of the UK’s finest musicians: David Newton, Dave Green and Steve Brown.

Dave Walsh (drums)

The leader of Trio JDM, Dave Walsh is a very widely-admired drummer across a range of musical styles. He has played with many top jazz musicians, with collaborators as diverse as Stuart MacCallum, Graham Massey (808 State), and Brit-award winning singer-songwriter Tom McRae. He is a Principal Lecturer at Leeds Conservatoire and also teaches at Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA). Dave’s appearance at The Crucible Studio with The Enrico Pieranunzi Trio, provided one of Sheffield Jazz’s most memorable evenings back in 2014; more recently, in November 2024, he performed at the club with the John Stowell/Jamie Taylor Quartet.

Jamie Taylor (guitar)

Crookes resident Jamie is increasingly regarded as one of the UK’s finest jazz guitarists, having worked all over the country with many leading musicians, such as Sheryl Bailey, Baptiste Herbin, Judy Carmichael, John Goldsby, Steve Fishwick, Wayne Escoffery, Dave O’Higgins, and Sebastiaan DeKrom. Regularly heard at London venues such as Ronnie Scott’s and The Troubadour, he is also a Principal Lecturer in jazz guitar on the long-established degree programme at Leeds Conservatoire.

Martin Longhawn (organ)

Yorkshire-based pianist and organist Martin is in great demand, and perhaps best known to British jazz audiences for his work with the excellent Svarc/Hanley/Longhawn group. A first-class honours graduate of Leeds Conservatoire, he has a wealth of experience performing around the UK with a number of ensembles.

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Ticket Prices

Full – £18
Over 60, disabled, unemployed – £16
18 – 30 year olds, student with NUS card – £10
15 – 17 year olds – £5
Under 15s – Free

We encourage you to book tickets online in advance, to avoid missing out and to make life easier for our Door Team.  It will be possible to pay for entry at the door (preferably by contactless payment) if seats are available.

Advance tickets available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/sheffield-jazz