Jazz Articles about James Mainwaring

About James Mainwaring

Album Review

James Mainwaring / Dave Kane / Emil Karlsen: The Exu

by John Sharpe
May 3, 2025

The Exu, a lean and volatile threesome, makes a forceful first impression on its self-titled debut. Composed of Leeds-based pairing of tenor saxophonist James Mainwaring (best known for his tenure in the Mercury Prize-nominated Roller Trio) and Irish bassist Dave Kane (a longtime collaborator of Paul Dunmall and Matthew Bourne), alongside British-domiciled Norwegian drummer Emil Karlsen, the group draws from improv, metal, hip-hop, and jazz. Across a dozen tightly coiled pieces-- five by Kane, three by Mainwaring, and four group ...

Album Review

John Law's Congregation: Configuration

Read "Configuration" reviewed by Bruce Lindsay

by Bruce Lindsay
May 11, 2020

John Law's Congregation is a quartet led by British pianist and composer Law and completed by three musicians from the UK jazz scene--James Mainwaring (Roller Trio), Ashley John Long and Billy Weir--who are part of what Brian Morton's sleeve notes calls the “new generation players." Law has been performing since the 1980s, releasing over 40 albums, some solo, others featuring a host of collaborators including Andy Sheppard, Asaf Sirkis and Tim Garland. Configuration is this quartet's first release ...