Tom Remon - Eagle Peak (2022)

Eagle Peak is the first album release from Tom Remon under his own name and it follows the acclaimed debut recording Duality he released with guitarist Jim Mullen back in March of 2021. Since then, Tom Remon has created a fine reputation as one of the next generation of UK jazz musicians. A graduate from Middlesex University, and former attendee of the Tomorrow’s Warriors programme, Tom has developed a name for himself on the London jazz scene. Putting together a solid rhythm section of Mike Gorman and Shaney Forbes, with the addition of Laurence Wilkins on Trumpet, Eagle Peak is different in style to Duality and with four of the eight tracks recorded here being written by Tom there is an opportunity to hear how he has developed as a composer.

Bobby Hutcherson’s ‘Anton’s Ball’ opens Eagle Peak with Laurence Wilkins and Tom Remon laying down the melody in unison. Wlkins’ first solo sounds effortless, the notes clear as he plays up and down the register. Mike Gorman plays a good rhythm with his left hand before his own solo, which sounds great on the organ as the notes hang in the air for a fraction before moving on. Tom Remon’s solo is crisp with a wonderful tone. Shaney Forbes on the drums is on good form always pitching his sound at just the right level to give support to the musicians leading on the melody.