Freight Train is a trio that formed during Covid via video links over Zoom, based on an idea from percussion maestro Paul Clarvis (Leonard Bernstein, Evelyn Glennie, Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney etc.) and a commission by West Midlands Jazz. Paul invited fellow collaborators, pianist Liam Noble and the wonderful Irish Folk singer Cathy Jordan (lead singer for the iconic Irish band Dervish), to join him. What came out of those online sessions was an engaging set of tunes, which they are now touring LIVE throughout the UK.
The music they will play is very eclectic with the emphasis on fun; allied to fine musicianship. Songs with Irish Folk connections, Jazz Standards, Contemporary songwriters and a healthy smattering of Mose Allison songs.

Initially I wasn't sure I would do this gig (as it's not my normal fare), but as a person, Paul Clarvis is such a lovely guy;(met him many times while working with Stan Sulzmann, Nick Weldon and Andy Sheppard) plus he is the most amazing musician. When I saw and heard the online video performance, it just made me smile.....a lot.
So I'm hoping you guys will feel the same.

Paul had occasion to tour many times with famous Jazz & Blues pianist and vocalist Mose Allison, mostly in his later years. The photo below is from a session for the Jools Holland BBC programme, Later with Jools. Allison's music had an important influence on other artists, such as Georgie Fame, Jimi Hendrix, Van Morrison, J. J. Cale, The Yardbirds, The Rolling Stones, Tom Waits, Bonny Raitt, and Pete Townshend. Working with Mose was a big reason why Paul wanted to include some of his tunes into Freight Train's repertoire.

It wouldn't be too much of a stretch to say that Paul Clarvis has performed with everyone you know and on everything you love. Clarvis was the late Leonard Bernstein's preferred London percussionist and helped Rick Smith with the drum arrangements and training for the London Olympics 2012 show-stopping opening ceremony, directed by Danny Boyle.

He's worked with musicians like Mick Jagger, Stevie Wonder, Sir Paul McCartney, and Elton John.
His film slate includes films like "Star Wars," all the "Harry Potter" films, "The Chronicles of Narnia," "Twilight," "Skyfall," "Spectre", "The Grand Budapest Hotel", "Isle of Dogs", "Avengers Endgame", "Tron", "Shrek", "The Shape of Water", "Mary Poppins Returns", and "The Hobbit" to name but a few...
In fact, Clarvis was the featured percussionist in all the last 3 years' Oscar Soundtrack winners.
He recently played on Hozier's Billboard-topping album, "Wasteland Baby". He is also an Honorary Associate of the Royal Academy of Music.

As one of the most requested session musicians in the UK, the list of collaborators he has worked with is a veritable 'Who's Who' in the music world - from Mick Jagger, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Steve Swallow, Herbie Hancock, Sir Harrison Birtwistle, Sir John Dankworth to Paul McCartney, John Williams and Moondog

Cathy Jordan was born in county Roscommon, Ireland; and is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, playing guitar, bodhran, bones and bouzouki. Cathy has been the lead vocalist for the traditional Irish music band Dervish since 1991. She has led Dervish as front woman through thousands of concerts in hundreds of cities in nearly 40 countries and has 16 albums under her belt. Cathy is also a member of the group 'The Unwanted', as well as a solo artist.

As a songwriter, she has written songs with internationally renowned Brendan Graham, best known for the most successful song of the twentieth century, You Raise Me Up. More recently she has been a teacher providing vocal training and exercises to students in Ireland and abroad, as well as expanding her students traditional song repertoire. 

In 2014, she took up the role of presenter of Fleadh TV with TG4. Cathy has been an ambassador for Irish culture and music for over a quarter of a century, and has a deep understanding of traditional Irish songs and singing and has collected hundreds of songs which otherwise may have been forgotten.
Cathy and Dervish have been invited to accompany Presidents and Taoisighs of Ireland as cultural ambassadors to China, Latvia and Lithuania. 

Cathy possesses an impressive range, with a sharp, distinctive voice, which affords her excellent diction, even on the quickest number. She is both engaging and mischevious, which makes her an ideal partner for the other two.

Liam Noble studied music at the Oxford University and on the postgraduate course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Liam became the regular pianist with Stan Sulzmann (in both duo and quartet settings).
He went on to work in the bands of Anita Wardell, Harry Beckett, Tim Whitehead and mega drummer John Stevens as well as recording and touring with cult minimalist composer Moondog. 

In April 2002, a Commission from Birmingham Jazz resulted in a song cycle based on Japanese death poetry featuring the contrasting voices of Kelsey Michael (vocalist with the High Llammas) and Christine Tobin. Liam plays keyboards and samples throughout, marking a new foray into electronica inspired by artists such as Aphex Twin and Arto Lindsay. He is also a regular member of the Julian Siegel Group

In this day and age of jazz re-treads, it's refreshing to encounter a genuinely original voice who continues to grow and develop, more recently delving into Free Jazz, working with powerhouse Saxophonist Paul Dunmall.

Out of Lockdown reflection time, emerged this unique and exhilarating trio; Freight Train.....the world of Irish Folk meets jazz in a set mixed with Mose Allison blues; tunes from Gillian Welch, Nick Lowe, Duke Ellington, Porter Grainger & Everett Robbins, Jimmy Cox and Moondog....and even a slightly off the wall version of a song by Dick Farrelly, used in the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (book by Ian Fleming) called Truly Scrumptious!

Video clips include Freight Train with a bit of the Lockdown compilation playing Moondog's "Paris"

Followed by a compilation created by Woodbury Recording Studios" of Paul and Liam in a Piano & Drums Jazz duo with special guest Naima Slany Clarvis (Paul's daughter). Some of these duo tunes may be in the repertoire on the night of the gig!

Video above not working? Click here or here for Youtube links.