The Intercostal Quartet

The Sessions Collective, whose passion for all things music, has seen them introduce the ever-growing monthly Vinyl Sessions in Aberdour, have now opened a new platform for live original contemporary music.

Think chilled Sunday afternoon music, accompanied by great food and drinks.

The first performance was The Intercostal Quartet on Sunday 3rd September 2023. With repertoire drawn from their favourite moments in jazz composition, the Intercostal Quartet have honed their vital connective skills, knitting their tendinous basis in jazz tradition with a vibrant flexibility.

Comprised of Greg Irons on Drums, Elie Afif on Acoustic Bass, Chris Lyons on Piano and Chris Greive on Trombone; their repertoire ranges from the simplicity of works like ‘Skating in Central Park’ (John Lewis) and ‘Triste’ (Antônio Carlos Jobim) through to the musical puzzles of ‘Conception’ (George Shearing) and ‘Time Remembered’ (Bill Evans). Adding tunes from Monk, Shorter & Silver, the Intercostal Quartet showcases the standard, a sinewy rhythmic drive with space for breath and the joys of playing.

The Intercostal Quartet

Chris Greive began his musical life in Australia obtaining a BMus Jazz degree before relocating to Scotland in 2000, where he lectures at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and was Lead Trombone of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. He is constantly in demand as an arranger (Eddi Reader ‘Cavalier’ 2018) and many other projects including his wife’s Becc Sanderson Sextet, ‘Bows to Bowie’ album. Chris is the founder of the award-winning NeWt trio (Best Ensemble – Scottish Jazz Awards 2012); has collaborated with Scottish artist Joseph Malik, becoming a co-founder of ‘Out of the Ordinary (Edinburgh) as well as lending his phenomenal performer, arranger and production skills to the ‘Diverse Part 2’ and ‘Stranger Things Have Happened’ LP’s and the ‘Republic of Persevere’ charity EP for Edinburgh’s homeless charity, Streetwork. Chris presented his show ‘Soundbone plays Led Zep’ for Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2023 where he employs the ‘electric trombone’ sound to cover both bass and vocal sounds!

Elie Afif – Originally from Beirut, Lebanon, Elie Afif is one of the most recognised bass players coming out of the Middle East.
Elie attended The Collective School of Music in New York in 2012 after receiving a scholarship. It was here that he was quickly exposed to the New York scene, as well as meeting many great players that Elie would also learn a tremendous amount from, such as Barry Harris, Matt Garrison, Ron Carter, Eric McPherson, Ari Hoenig, and Ian Foreman.
Elie has performed with many international artists including Rene Mclean, Bobby Durham, Dwight Dickerson, Bobby McFerrin, Mike Stern, Jerome Sabbagh, Tarek Yamani, Khaled Yassin, Ranjit Barot and A. R. Rahman.

Chris Lyons is a pianist, composer and multi-instrumentalist based in Edinburgh. Classically trained, he has also been a professional jazz pianist since the age of 14. He runs many ensembles in different styles and is a sought-after teacher and competition judge. Notable gigs include with Kurt Rosenwinkel, Greg Cohen and working as an orchestrator for the Frank Zappa estate. His film music is also BAFTA nominated.
Highly regarded by those ‘in the know’, students of his have gone onto become some of the brightest stars in British and international jazz music as well as having prestigious classical careers. Chris plays a number of instruments, maintains a large and varied classical repertoire and is a particular master of playing in the many different styles and eras of the jazz piano tradition, from the oldest school stride and ragtime to the most angular and hypermodern, all shot through with his bravura technique.

Drummer Greg Irons, living in Glasgow, is involved with both modern jazz projects and the more traditional side of jazz. Since graduating from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2018, Greg has been playing concerts throughout the UK and been featured on many recordings.