Anniversaries have played a significant part in the story of this record. This year, Threeway is celebrating 20 years together. The band came into being in May 2004 over the breakfast table after Steve Waterman, Steve Lodder and I had, the previous evening, played for a significant family function at the home of two of my closest friends. The feeling was that there was real compatibility between us and something new and exciting could emerge within the context of a chamber jazz trio without drums. The following years have confirmed that initial belief. Last year, we decided that the best way to mark this special milestone was to record a new album of original music. John Etheridge is one of the UK’s most distinctive and treasured jazz musicians, and a friend to us all. Steve, Steve and I agreed that he was the perfect guest to have on the album.   
Sedbergh School in Cumbria (formerly in Yorkshire!), where I studied, and where I still enjoy a musical connection, is celebrating its Quincentenary next year. HARK is an acronym for the four core values which encompass life at the school: Humility, Ambition, Resilience and Kindness. As the school approaches its 500th year of existence, I have been invited to reflect these values in music and so I have composed four pieces that seek to portray each one of them.
 In addition, I have written a tune dedicated to my music master at Sedbergh, Victor Brook. Victor had retired from the music staff and so I used to visit his home, Cairnbank, on Southfield Road, every Saturday morning. It was the highlight of my week. His wife, Charlotte, gave me milky coffee and delicious homemade biscuits and I spent two magical hours soaking up the wisdom of a very special teacher. He introduced me to classical music by teaching me on my own terms: he knew that I was a self taught guitarist and took the trouble to produce chord charts by creating his own method of chord symbols for Handel flute and oboe sonatas so that I could accompany him on guitar. I treasure those charts. He still inspires me to this day.
I am delighted that Steve, Steve and John have all contributed wonderful tunes which highlight their own unique compositional styles and bring real contrast and variety to the album. I am particularly touched by the title of John’s piece, which translates as an altered blues for yours truly! Joni Mitchell is one of my favourite composers. Some years ago, I arranged one of her great songs, Black Crow, for the trio and it has been a part of our repertoire ever since. We had to include it on this record. 
As those who know me will testify, I adore cats. My record label’s naming in 1995 was a homage to my cat Miles, who shared my home for many years. It was Albert Schweitzer who said ‘there are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats’. I wholly endorse that notion. My two cats, Lester and Billie, are the lights of my life. So, I had to write a couple of tunes dedicated to each of them. 
It was a joy to record these pieces with three of my favourite musicians in such a welcoming and comfortable space created by Jon Hiseman and Barbara Thompson. Ru Lemer engineered the session with a supremely light touch, all the while providing welcome informed support to us. Andrew Tulloch has mixed and mastered this album in his usual impeccable fashion, bringing the very best out of these recordings. I hope that those who explore this album derive as much pleasure from listening to it as we had in making it. 
Ben Crosland
February 2024

HARKEN!

Lonely Streets

Black Crow

Lazy Susan

Kindness

Resilience

Ambition

Humility

AB4BC

Billie's Blessing

Welshcake

Ben Crosland Jazz Cat

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