Sarost: Mark Sanders (drums), Paul Rogers (bass) and Larry Stabbins (sax)

Event information

Sarost is a new trio comprising Mark Sanders Percussion, Paul Rogers Custom 7 String Bass and Larry Stabbins Saxophones, Bass Clarinet and Flutes.

Three veteran, virtuoso  improvisors who have worked together in various combinations for over 40 years, this trio has an astonishing combined legacy having shaped and been a part of and still shaping the British Free Jazz/Improv scene. 

“Larry Stabbins  is an under-recognized giant amongst great saxist” Downtown Music Gallery NYC
"Simply endlessly imaginative jazz"
"A magnificent celebration of freedom and creativity"

During a 50+ year career across the spectrum of music saxophonist Larry Stabbins has worked with most of the important figures at the cutting edge of European Jazz and Improvisation from Mike Westbrook to Keith Tippett. Alongside this he played in the seminal pop group Weekend and formed Working Week with guitarist Simon Booth, a project that took a melange of latin, soul and jazz into the world of pop and dance music. Currently he is in a quartet "137"with Adrian Utley and Jim Barr of the cult  band "Portishead" and Percussionist Sebastien Rochford.

Paul Rogers plays an AAL 7 string bass of his own design. In addition to solo concert performances he has played with major musicians on the European and US Jazz and Improvised Music scenes for over 40 years. He has also played with Larry in many groupings over the years, most notably the  Keith Tippett Septet and Tapestry Orchestra and  Louis Moholo's Dedication Orchestra.

Mark Sanders is a  drummer/percussionist  who has played with countless renowned improvising musicians in concerts and festivals all over the world,  including with Larry in a quartet with Howard Riley and as a trio with pianist Pat Thomas, and has played on over 200 vinyl and CD releases. He is hugely in demand with visiting American musicians. 

Their new CD out on Jazz in Britain /Jazz Now. Listen here on Bandcamp:
https://jazzinbritain1.bandcamp.com/album/aurora

Videos  here: 
Live at the 100 Club
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp_xVojok3E&list=RDQp_xVojok3E&start_radio=1

Live At Bath Jazz Festival 2025 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clfiFmtOdmE&t=6s

LIVE  REVIEWS
Highlight of the night came next- veteran sax man Larry Stabbins (looking remarkably trim and healthy for 75) and his trio of Mark Sanders on Percussion and Paul Rogers (playing and coaxing remarkable sounds out of his self-designed seven string bass). What followed was a set of undulating intensity, drawing gasps and whoops of appreciation from a now hyped-up crowd.
Louis Mohohlo-Moholo Tribute 100 Club
Kevin Whitlock Jazzwise Magazine 

The improvised music threesome then reaped the benefit of decades of experience in a seamless flow of musical ideas exchanged, shared and evolved in a perfect balance. Storms were whipped up and clarities discovered, looping riffs eventually devolved, anthemic melodies rose out of formless haziness … it was a joy to behold. 
Bath Jazz Festival  JazzWise Magazine

The mighty trio of improv legends SAROST aka Mark Sanders (drums), Paul Rogers (bass) and Larry Stabbins (sax) was an anticipated highlight that lived up to expectations. Announced by Larry with “Welcome to the Old School” they unleashed a richly varied stream of spontaneous music that melded into new shapes and moods as they played off each other. Paul’s remarkable seven-string instrument allowed him to soar, grind, thunder and growl, while Mark’s deployment of percussion produced a soundscape all of its own. Running through it all, Larry’s precision delivery on soprano and tenor sax made a telling vocal contribution that both steered and followed in the flow of the improvisations.
Bath Jazz Festival  Tony Benjamin B 24/7


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