Description
John Wadham’s DRUMS and FRIENDS
John Wadham’s only album as leader, DRUMS and FRIENDS, featuring leading guitarist Louis Stewart and flautist, Brian Dunning, was recorded in 1978, as Livia’s second release. Now remixed, remastered, and extended, with new photographs and sleeves notes, the album is again available, reflecting John’s importance in the Irish jazz scene.
John was the first-choice drummer of Irish jazz for decades. His excellent playing, clever wit, and warm personality made him a favourite of many visiting jazz musicians as well as local players, generations of Irish jazz fans, not to mention the hundreds of aspiring drummers whom he taught.
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DRUMS and FRIENDS features trios with Brian Dunning and bassist Frank Hess, and with Louis Stewart and bassist Martin Walsh, and duets with Louis. The tunes are mainly standards and contemporary compositions plus an exceptionally rare free improvisation with Louis.
Mainly recorded in 1978 in Dublin’s Pat Hayes Studio, the album also includes two tracks from Louis Stewart’s Louis the First session recorded in Trend Studios in 1975.
12-page booklet with detailed sleeve notes and great photographs.
Release Date: 7th September 2026
Format: CD and Download
John Wadham’s DRUMS and FRIENDS
Track listing
- Clarence's Place (Freddie Hubbard) 4:46
- Floatin' (Gerry Niewood) 6:10
- Winter Song (John Surman) 5:00
- Pompeiian (Bobby Hutcherson) 5:04
- Improvisation for Guitar and Drums (John Wadham, Louis Stewart) 9:21
- Lazy Afternoon (Jerome Moross, John La Touche) 5:30
- Footprints (Wayne Shorter) 9:18 *
- Seven Steps to Heaven (Miles Davis) 3:42
- 9 Naima (John Coltrane) 3:45
Catalog #: LRCD2602
Drums: John Wadham Flute: Brian Dunning Guitar: Louis Stewart
Bass: Frank Hess and Martin Walsh*
Recorded at Pat Hayes Sound Studios, Bray, and Trend Studios (7 & 9), Dublin.
Producer: Gerald Davis Original Release Photographs: Roy Esmonde Original Design: Jacques Teljeur
First released in 1978. Now remixed and remastered with tracks 8 and 9 added for this release.
2026 Release:
Mixing and Mastering: Seán Mac Erlaine Executive Producer: Dermot Rogers
Sleeve notes: Conor Guilfoyle Design: Jon Berkeley
Additional photographs supplied by Conor Guilfoyle’s Irish Jazz Archive
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