Jazz At The Merchants House presents David Bowden/Matt Gough Double Bill

Jazz At The Merchants House presents David Bowden/Matt Gough Double Bill

A premier jazz double bill featuring a rare solo performance from acclaimed bassist David Bowden and a new conversational trio led by visionary trumpeter Matt Gough

David Bowden Solo

• David Bowden - Double Bass

Opening this double bill is a solo performance from bassist and composer David Bowden, a central figure in the Scottish jazz scene. Known primarily for his work with the Mercury Prize-nominated Fergus McCreadie Trio and as the leader of the world-fusion ensemble Mezcla, Bowden here focuses on the expressive and lyrical potential of the double bass in its most skeletal form. His solo work draws from a wide musical palette, weaving original compositions together with arrangements of folk and pop melodies.

A former BBC Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year, Bowden has built a reputation for a playing style that is both grounded and highly inventive. Having studied in both Amsterdam and Ghana, his approach to the bass is defined by a deep rhythmic awareness and a melodic sensitivity that has seen him described as "a gifted bass player" by BBC Radio 3. Whether performing on international festival stages or in intimate local settings, his music is characterized by a sincerity and an ability to connect with an audience through simple, clear storytelling.

This opening set provides a rare opportunity to hear Bowden in a completely unaccompanied context, highlighting the rich textures and resonant warmth of his instrument. By stripping away the traditional ensemble, he creates a performance that is both meditative and technically commanding

Matt Gough Trio

• Matt Gough - Trumpet/Flugelhorn
• Conor Smith - Guitar
• Tom Gibbs - Piano

Making his Jazz At The Merchants House debut, Matt Gough presents a trio set that highlights the conversational interplay between three of the scene’s most compelling voices. This performance strips back the layers of his larger ensemble work to focus on the essential rapport of the group, joined by pianist Tom Gibbs, known for his direct and melodic touch, and guitarist Conor Smith, whose playing draws on a blend of jazz and roots influences.

Widely regarded as one of the most inventive voices on the contemporary scene, Matt Gough is a musician whose work bridges the gap between sophisticated jazz improvisation and cinematic narrative. Much like his contemporaries in the Glasgow jazz circuit and the wider Scottish jazz scene, Gough has built a reputation for technical brilliance and stylistic fluidity. Whether delivering high-energy lead trumpet lines or nuanced solos, his playing is anchored by a deep respect for the jazz tradition infused with a modern edge.

Matt is the visionary leader behind The Forgotten Fairground, a groundbreaking ensemble that has become a staple of the UK’s creative music scene. Blending a jazz heart with orchestral strings and contemporary dance, the project has received critical acclaim for its refreshing and original textures. Under his direction, the group has premiered award-winning short films at London’s BFI Southbank and collaborated with international icons including New York trumpet legend Marvin Stamm. Beyond his own projects, Matt is a first-call session musician and collaborator whose credits span the breadth of the genre, from performing with the Playtime collective to contributing to the folk-infused sounds of Blue Rose Code.

This trio format offers a rare look at Gough’s artistry in its most distilled form. By pairing the clean, inventive piano work of Gibbs with Smith’s versatile approach to the guitar, the group explores a soundscape that is both focused and expansive. Set within the historic elegance of the Merchants House, the evening is a perfect showcase of contemporary jazz delivered with warmth and exceptional musicianship.

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