Ross Hicks - piano, Nick Kacal - bass, Andy Tween - drums Ross Hicks is a young Cardiff based pianist who made a great impression on a short tour with saxophonist Simon Spillett in 2023 and played his debut trio gig at the Be-Bop Club in 2024. "Hicks was a revelation, ideas emerged and developed and injected drama even as the pieces unfolded at near terminal velocity" - Mike Collins [jazzyblogman]. Presenting music from his first 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. 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. Drummer Andy Tween is one of Bristols busiest musicians who has in the past toured with Pee Wee Ellis and Seth Lakeman, and more recently with rock band Curved Air. He teaches at Wells Cathedral School and is also a composer who has had his work used by the BBC and the Discovery Channel. Have a listen to their album promo here: Three Elms [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sH9 rsgYOpk]