Ben Shankland Trio [jazz]

“Original and highly lyrical” – Scottish Jazz Space

“Young and prodigiously talented, that’s all three of them” – Bebop Spoken Here

Winner of BBC Radio Scotland Young Jazz Musician of the Year and two time Scottish Jazz Award nominee, Edinburgh-born pianist and composer Ben Shankland’s trio is swiftly gaining recognition on the UK jazz scene. Combining an ever-expanding catalogue of original music with carefully selected and arranged renditions of classics, his combination of ‘lyricism with drive and precision’ (The Scotsman) has garnered praise from audiences and critics alike.

Shankland’s music is born of a clear reverence for the jazz tradition and lineage, but with unmistakable personality in every phrase. Always driven by melody, yet never afraid to explore complexity in rhythm and texture, Shankland sings freely with the piano as his voice. The trio are unapologetically playful and willing to chase after every idea, conjuring new sound worlds from any impetus. This, combined with an unwavering passion for craft and pursuit of instrumental mastery, allows the music to bring unbridled imagination to audiences with definition and form.

Joining Shankland on bass is BBC Young Jazz Musician of The Year 2022 winner Ewan Hastie, and on drums BBC Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year 2014, Jonathan Silk, with the pair’s creative musical communication further defining the group’s distinctive sound.

Driven by a desire to share experiences, and emotions and to find connections, the trio invites you in to be a part of their musical community.