Already hotly tipped as one to watch this year by Jazzwise Editor Jon Newey (amongst others), young boss-saxophonist Riley Stone-Lonergan is certainly set to make a mark on the UK jazz scene in 2012. Born and bred in Ireland’s County Galway, the award winning saxophonist moved to England back in 2008 and has been a strong force on the northern Jazz scene ever since.
Stone-Lonergan’s track ‘Pedalo’ was recently featured on the Yamaha New Jazz Sessions CD and followed with a gig at London’s famous 606 club, after he was awarded the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Award in 2010. The band on the track included his staple backline of Steve ‘Chief’ Hanley on drums and Maxwell Sterling on double bass, with trumpeter Kim Macari joining him upfront. Playing tenor or soprano saxophone, Riley can also be seen playing as a sideman gigging regularly with bands such as Somethin’ Else (Cannonball Adderley Tribute) who have just finished their UK tour.
Riley is currently working on his debut album, to be released late this year on Boom Better Records.
