Tuesday night found me (Lucy) Brecon-bound, winding my way to BRECON JAZZ CLUB at The Muse for a performance by The Julian Martin Trio (featuring Ben Thomas), with special guest Leslie Maynerd joining the fun. I’d been eagerly awaiting this gig, especially after catching them recently at St Andrew’s Church in Roath - a show so moving it left some of my family in happy tears. This time, my journey had the breathtaking Bannau Brycheiniog National Park as its backdrop, making it all the more epic.
Julian and Ben have a knack for reimagining classics - think Yazoo, Joni Mitchell, film scores, jazz standards, and their own originals. They take these familiar tunes and weave them into something fresh yet nostalgic, perfectly at ease among a sharp jazz crowd. Their playing stays true to the melodies while teasing out subtle accents and hidden depths, infusing each note with their personal passion and memories. It’s sensitive, imaginative, and utterly captivating.
Julian’s piano work is a standout for me. He has this way of saying exactly what’s needed - no fuss, no over complication. There’s a quiet beauty in how he uses space, paired with a humble confidence that draws you in. Then there’s Ben, whose original compositions lit up the night. He’s clearly a musical mind, but his trumpet playing tosses the rulebook aside. It’s pure artistry - expressive, unpredictable, shifting from tender ballads to infectious grooves in an instant, pulling you in for the ride.
One moment that hit me hard was their take on “Can You Read My Mind,” the love theme from John Williams’ score for Christopher Reeve’s Superman. Julian introduced it as just that - a love theme - and it truly was. Heartstrings were tugged, and for a fleeting second, I swear I was soaring alongside Superman himself.
The trio’s rhythm section shone too. Ross Thomas laid down funky, fretless bass grooves that pulsed through the room. I also love how immersed he seems to be with what is going on around him. Ian Williams brought an avant-garde, almost multimedia flair to the drums - wildly creative and cinematic. He’s so inventive, often using his body as an instrument (something I can relate to in my artwork). Honestly, this gig was so much fun my bum didn’t touch the seat all night!
Leslie Maynerd joined for a couple of tunes, including a personal favourite, “Caravan.” The room swayed as one, packed to the brim with energy. By the end, there was a whole crew of enthusiastic dancers grooving at the back - such a joyful addition. For me, it was pure nostalgia; Caravan was the first jazz piece I ever fell for.
Brecon Jazz Club might be a small outfit in a mountain-nestled town in rural Wales, but it’s bursting with community spirit and momentum. Much of that is down to Lynne Gornall, with the tireless Roger Canon by her side. Over the years they have poured their hearts into making it a UK music hotspot. The packed house (folks travelling from far and wide), the stellar team, the slick promo, and even bilingual intros, all point towards their dedication. Running a jazz club takes guts and vision.
I can’t recommend Brecon Jazz Club’s warm and welcoming gigs enough and I’ll be watching out for more from this trio too. Two enterprises worth checking out...
BRECON JAZZ CLUB
JULIAN MARTIN TRIO
BEN'S LATEST RELEASE