LAST week's Improvised Music Company presentation drew a large crowd, including a healthy proportion of young enthusiasts, to hear American drummer Keith Copeland, leading a fine trio. Although Copeland, at the outset, insisted that the group completed by Tommy Halferty (guitar) and Ronan Guilfoyle (bass guitar) was collaborative, his leadership qualities were evident throughout.

They opened with All Of You in a delicate two feel, Copeland's brush work supporting lovely bass choruses from Guilfoyle, before shifting into four, Halferty upping the temperature in several swinging choruses. It was a good start, with the group's cohesion established immediately. Ornette Coleman's Round Trip began with bass and guitar unison on the theme, and the ensuing soloing including humorous interplay between Halferty and Copeland. John Coltrane's Syeeda's Song Flute grooved all the way, followed by a laid back Bolivar Blues, with Halferty's tasty guitar showing he's never too far from the roots Guilfoyle and Copeland swapped choruses before the close including some of the finest drum breaks I've ever heard live.

Elsewhere, there were some lovely tempo changes on The Night Has A Thousand Eyes, with Halferty revelling in the strong rhythmic support. Falling In Love With Love a tribute to another drummer, Alan Dawson, who died recently was taken at a much slower than usual tempo it featured some delicate playing from all, with a half chorus from Copeland which, at such a tempo, was evidence of his sheer musicality. They ended with an encore, Monk's Round Midnight, at a fast tempo, which was merely the way home at that stage we had had a wonderful night's music.