"this…might just be the best new band to emerge this year…a band that redefine the words “shock and awe”… this is an improvising trio that rocks and swings so hard it’s dangerous…it made me want to dig out all those records, watch those films and set the controls for the heart of the sun. That’s how good it is."

Duncan Heining, Jazzwise

Decoy is the stunning organ trio featuring Alex Hawkins, John Edwards and Steve Noble. Hawkins - whose early training as a pipe organist encourages him to exploit the full potential of the Hammond Organ and Leslie speaker is joined by arguably one of the greatest rhythm sections in music who combine a gift for unstoppable rhythmic propulsion and beguiling sonic abstraction - from furious swing to metallic klang and slapped strings..

Alexander Hawkins - Hammond Organ
Steve Noble - Drums
John Edwards - Double Bass

Decoy by Alexander Hawkins

ALEXANDER HAWKINS

Although better known as a pianist, Alexander Hawkins was called in a recent review ‘[t]he most interesting Hammond player of the last decade and more’, where it was commented that he had 'already extended what can be done on the instrument’ (Brian Morton, Point of Departure). In 2010, he was named on the official ballot for the 75th Annual Downbeat Reader’s Poll in the organ category. Writers in the Spanish journal El Intruso voted him #1 in the keyboard category, and #5 in the piano category, in their end of year poll for the same year.

His first album as leader, 'no now is so' (FMR), met with critical acclaim, featuring in various 'top ten albums of the year' lists; its sequel, 'all there, ever out' is due for release shortly on Babel. He also co-leads the collaborative Convergence Quartet, featuring American Taylor Ho Bynum, Canadian Harris Eisenstadt, and fellow Briton Dominic Lash, whose second album, 'Song/Dance', recently appeared on the Clean Feed label.

He has performed with the likes of Evan Parker, Louis Moholo-Moholo, Joe McPhee, Sonny Simmons, and many others, and is the pianist in the band of the master Ethiopian composer, Mulatu Astatke. He has performed across the UK, Europe, and beyond.

STEVE NOBLE

Steve Noble is London’s leading drummer, a fearless and constantly inventive improviser whose super-precise, ultra-propulsive and hyper-detailed playing has galvanized encounters with Derek Bailey, Matthew Shipp, Ishmael Wadada Leo Smith, Stephen O’Malley, Joe McPhee, Alex Ward, Rhodri Davies and many, many more.

From playing with Nigerian master drummer Elkan Ogunde ,Rip Rig and Panic ,Brion Gysin and the Bow Gamelan Ensemble, Noble went on to work with the pianist Alex Maguire and with Derek Bailey (including Company Weeks 1987,89 and 90) and was featured (along with Alex Ward) in the TV series based on Baileys book ‘Improvisation; its nature and practise’. He has toured and performed throughout Europe , Africa and America. Currently leads the groups ‘4tet’ - ‘Say What’- ‘Shakedown Club’- ‘Harry Love All Stars’ and a trio with Lol Coxhil / Edwards - he also fills the drum chair in the following groups ; SFQ, Badland , Gannets , Aethenor, Freebase and Tim Hills group Tongues of Fire.

Noble has also been MD for the Spanish dance company MAL PELO since 1998. He also runs the record company PING PONG PRODUCTIONS.

"An engaging mix of jazz time, free–rock and abstract improv , Noble is one of the country’s most creative drummers” (the Guardian)

" If you want to turn some friends on to improvised music take them to see one of Noble’s bands. The chemistry makes for explosive, exhuberant playing, seemingly endless creativity and- shocking though it may seem to some - fun” (Phil England, the Wire)

JOHN EDWARDS

John Edwards is a true virtuoso whose staggering range of techniques and boundless musical imagination have redefined the possibility of the double bass and dramatically expanded its role, whether playing solo or with others. Perpetually in demand, he has played with Evan Parker, Sunny Murray, Derek Bailey, John Wall, Joe McPhee, Lol Coxhill, and many others.