Adrian Cox Trio - Something to Say

Adrian Cox is one of the world's most sought-after jazz clarinettists. With Something to Say,
a new album of collaboratively created originals, Cox's trio establishes themselves as among
the finest preserves of the New Orleans jazz flame.
In a career spanning thirty years, Cox's innate virtuosity and deep appreciation for his jazz
forebears has put him at the forefront of developments in his specialism: the style of New
Orleans clarinet playing that builds on work of legendary performers like Sidney Bechet,
Edmond Hall, and Johnny Dodds. His career as a touring musician—with performers like
Richard Bennett and TJ Johnson—took him across the world. Later, as a member of
London's Kansas Smitty's House Band, Cox worked with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at
Lincoln Center Orchestra in a series of concerts celebrating the clarinettist Benny Goodman,
later returning to New York as part of the JALC's 30 year celebration event. Today, he
spends the majority of his life on tour, and has performed in over 30 countries in the past 18
months.
Earlier this year, Cox took some time to work out his next steps. He'd recently toured two
projects celebrating Bechet, Hall and the sound of New Orleans jazz, when his
trio—featuring Honey Boulton on guitar, and Alex Glilson on bass—started searching for
ideas. Initially, they sketched a loose plan for a recording that celebrates their combined
cross-continent credentials: Cox, born in Britain, now lives in Sweden; Boulton is from New
Zealand and lives in Britain; and France-born Gilson resides in New York. But, in passing on
that idea, they realised what they really wanted to make: a "band album” of sorts, where
every member contributes a selection of originals to the mix.
"We are open to everything,
”
Cox says.
“When we write, no comment on somebody's idea is swept under the carpet.
Everything is put on the table.
”
The trio developed the material over the course of five months, which included an extensive
tour in Australia and New Zealand in April 2026.
"Sound checks became writing sessions,
hotel rooms became rehearsal spaces and aeroplanes were discussion sessions,
" Cox says.
These working sessions was buttressed by WhatsApp messages and many voice notes
passed back and forth, until eventually they came to press record.
The resulting record, Something to Say, showcases nine fresh and inventive new tunes.
They show the breadth and depth of a trio who have both the complete command of their
respective histories, and the passion and confidence to build something new on strongly
established foundations.