A first CD from highly acclaimed guitarist Matt Schofield has been a long time coming. After a seven year professional career in which he has toured and recorded with Dana Gillespie, Lee Sankey, Dino Baptiste, Ian Siegal, the Dutch-based Lester Butler Tribute, and collaborated with Corrina Greyson - and along the way, been described as the finest new generation blues guitarist in Britain - that CD is finally here.

“The Trio, Live” is the debut CD by the Matt Schofield Trio. In many ways it flies in the face of convention and expectation. First as the name suggests, it is an in-concert recording, something most artistes don’t do until later in their careers (out of lack of confidence, or as a way of recycling existing material between studio albums!). Also, The Trio is a rarity these days, an organ combo – a distinctly retro concept, but which is finding a new acceptance and “hippness”. Together with their choice of material and upbeat treatment on this album, it could well prove to be a shrewd move.

The Trio comprises Matt (26) on guitar and vocals, Jonny Henderson (23) on organ (and left hand bass), and Evan Jenkins (34) on drums. For three people they produce a huge sound, at times delivering the thick, multi-layered feel of a big band. It has a decidedly jazzy feel to it, but without ever straying to far and the whole thing exudes an energy and depth that is not often heard these days.

Before recording this CD, The Trio had rarely been seen. Matt takes up the story:

“The Trio started as an occasional project, something we did at the right venue for the right audience. In fact we only performed live twice last year, including recording this CD!

“I had been writing original material for my own studio album, whilst gigging with various bands. The Trio was a welcome break - a chance to get together with two of my favourite musicians - and play some of our favourite tunes our own way and see where the music took us.

“It came together almost by accident in 2002, at the ‘Ain’t Nothing But..’ in London. Not having a bass player for a gig one night, we thought we'd give it a go with just the organ, and from the first note we knew we were onto something. People kept coming back to hear more and asking if we had a CD and where else they could see us. One of those 'if it feels good, it is good' things, we had to pursue.

"The unique format of the organ trio allows an unusual freedom of improvisation and interaction. It's exciting because it's different everytime! It’s a very collaborative, sum of the parts thing, and vital to have the right chemistry. It's not like me and a backing band, It wouldn't work with a different line-up.

“I went to school with Jonny in Gloucestershire and we had a band back then. He went to university, while his older brother James, who's a great guitarist (now with the Lee Sankey Group) and I ventured down to London to check out the music scene.

“Jonny's extremely talented and the perfect keyboard foil for me. He has learned from many of the same musicians as I did, so he knows how to back me up perfectly, but can also really tear it up in his own right. His incredible 'left hand bass' gives The Trio such a distinctive groove plus, like me, he's a real 'tone' guy and has nailed that vintage Hammond sound.

“I'm very proud to have Evan involved. He's one of my favourite drummers anywhere and brings out the best in my playing. I met him playing in Dino's band. I've played together with him more than any other drummer, in many different situations. His feel and timing are second to none. My playing got better just from gigging with him because he allowed me a new level of freedom, riding on top of these big fat grooves!

“Evan can play it all - Jazz, Rock, Pop, but he also has a natural feel for blues, and he always does it his own way! Plus, he pioneered the 'Wellington Shuffle', which you're going to hear a lot more of!

"We play the music we love listening to and are inspired by; not just blues, but funky and jazzy stuff too - bands like Soulive and The Meters. We decided to do a live album because that's what this band is about. Listening to tapes we made of gigs, we enjoyed the energy that was captured, so it seemed logical to do a proper live release. Since I've always enjoyed playing the Bishops Blues Club it seemed the perfect environment in which to record. They're a great audience, and we thrive on that.

Returning to the question of why this first CD has been so long coming.

“When I started playing on the Blues circuit in my late teens I was never comfortable with the ‘hot young guitarist’ label. Instead of being 'good for my age' I just wanted to be 'good'. So I decided to learn my trade first. I learned so much by backing other artists. What to do, and not do.

“I am striving to be a great musician, not just a good guitarist. There's a big difference. Writing original material which I feel is worthy of being put onto CD is tough. It's a different art and I'm learning all the time about writing, and singing too. I'm my own worst critic, which makes it all the more difficult.

“I hope to have the studio album, including Jonny and Evan and the great Jeff Walker on bass, amongst others, to a stage where I'm happy with the songs later this year. And now that The Trio has taken on a life of it’s own, we're also looking to write for and record more of The Trio.

Guitarists inevitably get asked for their sources of inspiration. Where did Matt get his?

“The defining moment for me was when I was 12, seeing a video of Albert Collins, BB King and Stevie Ray Vaughan jamming. The power and intensity blew me away. Those guys and that singular event really defined my life.

“I'd been messing about on guitar and bass a little already, but that moment was the catalyst, so I went straight out and formed a blues band at school. We did out first gig when I was 13, and here I am now! We'd be here a long time listing all my influences, and not just guitarists, or just blues. I just like passionate musicianship, and great tone, from the heart, regardless of instrument or genre.

“After I finished school, I spent a lot of time in the US where I got to see many of my heros perform. Hearing Robben Ford was the second epiphany for me. He not only turned my ear towards more harmonically challenging music, but also showed me that there was still something original left to do with blues guitar. Incredible musicianship, whilst still being tasteful and soulful. He continues to inspire me, not just with his playing, but with his continued growth as an artist. That's a path I hope to follow.

From Blues in Britain Magazine April 2004