In the know

Trevor Watts is a key figure in British jazz history. Since forming the Spontaneous Music Ensemble with John Stevens in 1965, the saxophonist has been moving forward seemingly non-stop; touring the world with his own groups, like Amalgam and the Moire Music Group, and with influential figures like Archie Shepp, Steve Lacy and Don Cherry.

In 2022 Norwegian drummer Tollef Østvang enlisted Watts (saxophone) and fellow UK veteran improviser John Edwards (bass), to form a new trio, as a commission from the Motvind festival.

From the get-go, the three unleashed a remarkably unified onslaught of blissful intensity. Luckily the band felt just as excited as the audience, and since their initial offering in the middle of the Norwegian woods, the group has since embarked on several European tours; further sharpening their razor-sharp interplay.

Their debut release, “In the know”, was recorded live in concert; organized by our favourite concert series, Blow Out, at our favourite club, Kafé Hærverk in Oslo.