In a world which celebrates the virtuosity of the individual, HLK’s vision has been to develop their ensemble virtuosity, compelled by a unified vision. The music comprises precise notated sections, moments of conversational interaction and room for individual improvisation. It is a delicate but powerful balance. This unique, interdependent rhythmic language has required unparalleled commitment, but yielded astonishing results. The Trio’s music is celebrated for being emotionally and cerebrally challenging yet accessible, captivating audiences young and old across the UK and mainland Europe.
HLK have completed their second recorded volume: ‘Anthropometricks’. Their unique musical relationship with Dame Evelyn Glennie has evolved and the results captured in five of the eight compositions on the album. Two additional artists have also been invited into the fray. British Cellist Natalie Clein’s rich tone and melodic interpretation add a wealth of texture. Varijashree Venugopal contributes a spell-binding vocal performance, including an incredible improvisation on the title track. This is due for release early 2024.
Since their first meeting on New Year’s Day in 2015, Rich Harrold, Ant Law and Rich Kass have worked tirelessly on the careful blend of ingredients which are distilled into Trio’s music. They frequently disassemble common jazz standards, building entirely new pieces from the motifs contained within them. Often, two or more themes are set in motion simultaneously, creating kaleidoscopic and shape-shifting sounds. The resultant harmonies and rhythms can be incredibly simple and sonorous, or fiercely complex and dissonant.
In 2016 HLK embarked upon the recording of their debut album and so began their long term partnership with Dame Evelyn Glennie, one of the world’s greatest rhythmicists. ‘Standard Time’ was released in 2018 to great critical acclaim, followed by extensive touring. The collaboration with Evelyn brought the Trio’s music to new audiences and the music found itself being rapturously received in jazz clubs and concert halls alike. Gramophone Magazine singled out the Trio as ‘True Innovators’ whilst their debut live performance was described by Jazzwise as an “extraordinary performance that was in a class all of its own”.
Rich, Ant, Rich, Evelyn, Natalie and Varijashree look forward to performing for you soon.
Press Quotes
““..the ensemble’s willingness to travel far and wide - beyond more obvious and generic accents (and also way beyond traditional concepts of the jazz trio) - marks them out as true innovators and makes Standard Time a truly remarkable album.””
— Gramophone Magazine
““..the festival had one extraordinary performance that was in a class all of its own: Trio HLK’s collaboration with percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie was an intense combination of complex musical ideas and virtuoso musicianship.””
— Tony Benjamin, Jazzwise
““I can honestly say that I’ve never left a concert feeling so energised, and I wasn’t the only one - there was a real buzz, with people excitedly sharing opinions, and voicing surprise at how much they had enjoyed themselves...Maybe that was because they were aware that they had just witnessed something rather special.””
““Their deconstruction of jazz classics could easily have sounded mannered, but instead I found it genuinely complex, uncompromising, at times very beautiful, and above all deeply engaging. I’d never heard anything quite like it (a novel experience at a jazz gig) and was immediately hooked.””
— Steven Osborne
“The Scottish Jazz Scene has produced some notable soloists and groups in recent years. Even so, Trio HLK stand out in that talented crowd. In fact, there are few trios in New York that are so good.”
— John Coliani
““As a start to the day it raised the bar enormously and while there was much entertainment to be had nothing else came close””
