Ben Crosland’s Threeway
- Main Information
Steve Waterman – Trumpet/Flugelhorn
Steve Lodder – Piano/Keyboards
Ben Crosland – Bass
Threeway formed in May 2004 after Waterman, Lodder, and Crosland played a charity event at the home of two of Crosland’s closest friends. They sensed strong compatibility and the potential for a drumless chamber jazz trio.
Over 19 years, they have recorded three critically acclaimed albums—Conversations,Songs of the Year, and Looking Forward, Looking Back with airplay on BBC Radio 3, Jazz FM, and UK Jazz Radio. Performing at festivals and clubs across the country, Threeway showcase melodic, fresh, subtle jazz largely written by all three members, while developing the intense interplay that defines their sound. They also present fresh readings of classic standards and works by writers such as Joni Mitchell and Nick Drake.
Threeway’s music is heard to best advantage in the concert setting. Accordingly, this is an ideal group for ‘listening’ jazz venues, arts centres, music festivals and concert societies.
The band celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024 and to mark the occasion, it recorded an album of new compositions with guitar legend John Etheridge as their special guest. The album, HARKEN!, was released on 5th July 2024 and was launched at the Buxton International Festival on 8th July. Threeway toured throughout 2024 as a trio and also with John as their special guest and is continuing its tour this year.
The band was recently featured on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune presenting music from HARKEN!
Steve Waterman is an in demand soloist both in UK and abroad. He has recorded and toured with John Surman’s Brass Project and the Carla Bley Big Band and has worked with a host of other artists including Vince Mendoza, Tony Coe, Mal Waldron and Colin Towns. He has recorded a series of critically acclaimed albums in his own name.
Steve Lodder is a highly regarded sideman for many international and British musicians including Andy Sheppard, Nana Vasconcelos, George Russell’s Living Time Orchestra, Sarah Jane Morris, John Harle, Carla Bley and Monica Vasconcelos. He has been musical associate with Paul McCartney on the ‘Standing Stone’ and ‘Ecce Cor Meum’ projects.
Ben Crosland is one of the north’s most experienced jazz musicians, having been leading bands for over 30 years. He has worked as a sideman with many leading US and UK soloists including Jean Toussaint, Ken Peplowski, Harry Allen, George Masso, Henry Lowther, Stan Sulzmann, Frank Ricotti and John Etheridge.
Sunday Pass: £40
Purchase tickets for SwanNek, Ben Crosland’s Threeway, Finn - Keeble Group and Modern Vikings for £40 (discount applied when tickets for all events are added to basket).
Weekend Pass: £60
Purchase tickets Alexia Gardner Quintet, Celebrating Wes Montgomery and Chris Coull’s Porgy and Bess on Saturday and SwanNek, Threeway At Twenty One, Abbie Finn Quartet and Modern Vikings on Sunday for £60 (discount applied when tickets for all events are added to basket).
“The ensemble playing has the togetherness that only comes from top musicians who know each other well and think as one. Everything is clear and precise yet full of delicacy and feeling”
“Three stellar musicians…Crosland’s compositions are often quite captivating, the reactions and interplay between Crosland, Waterman and Lodder as near to perfection as anyone could want.”
‘‘HARKEN! marks 20 years of Threeway’s illustrious association, yet even over that time, the music remains fresh. As a drum free trio, there’s always been a chamber-like intimacy to their music, spacious, with room-a-plenty to stretch and relax.’’
‘‘With the pedigree of musicianship on offer, it’s no surprise that HARKEN! is an album that pleases in so many ways.’’
‘Three great musicians, they are celebrating 20 years together. They are a veritable repository of skills, as you will discover.’’
‘’HARKEN!” offers further evidence of Threeway’s delicate strengths with Etheridge adding a little guitar roughage and Lodder providing additional variety via the use of a range of keyboards.’’