Jack Wilson (UK): The Bear And The Wolf

Originally from North Yorkshire but now London-based, saxophonist and composer Jack Wilson presents his debut album, The Bear And The Wolf. His style, which mixes jazz with world and folk influences, showcases him as a growing presence throughout the UK and Europe with sell-out shows, tours and appearances at jazz and folk festivals.

Wilson, who graduated from London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2021, leads a quartet consisting of Billy Marrows on electric guitar, Max Kahn on double bass and Jack Yardley on drums.  The quartet has been playing together for some time and it certainly shows in their collective drive and energy.

The album opens with "Cascade." Wilson's plaintive saxophone dominates throughout the track as he explores over-repeating guitar patterns before Yardley closes out the piece with an impressive solo. The concept of drawing on the spiritual intensity of the John Coltrane Quartet drives "Prelude For The Departed," its uncomplicated saxophone theme slowly building in strength.

"P&P" bursts with color and texture as group interplay takes center stage for the first time. A tribute to two of Wilson's mentors, the track weaves two contrasting styles as Wilson and Marrows build elements of swing that rise and fall before the saxophone drives hard over muscular rock rhythms.

True to its name, "Lullaby" is a warm and enveloping ballad. Wilson receives excellent support from Marrows, while Kahn's bass solo is perfectly measured. The title track successfully blends two contrasting themes; Marrows delivers a terrific solo before Wilson's sax soars impressively through a building climax.

"Sodermalm" is shaped by the quartet's natural musical rapport. Named after a district in Stockholm, the track shines a light on Wilson's narrative compositional instincts. Kahn delivers another fine solo before laying down a repeating riff, inviting guitar and sax to stretch out and spark off each other. The band shows they know how to rock and those beats reach their peak on "Mr. Fox," as Yardley's insistent drive allows Marrows and Wilson to push their inventive ideas in this pulsing, playful rocker.

The running order does the album few favors, but the compositions are strong, and repeated listening reveals the depth of band interplay. Kahn and Yardley form a dynamic, energetic foundation; Marrows is excellent throughout and Wilson proves equally compelling on gently melodic lines as on the more angular passages, bringing significant impact to the faster sections. A strong debut that holds considerable promise.