Dennis Rollins’ acoustic straight-ahead combo Velocity Trio is so new that his two partners in jazz have changed since the National Centre for Early spring season was announced. Out go Bristol organist Dan Moore and Glaswegian drummer Alyn Cosker; in come Mike Gorman, from the Jim Mullen Trio, and Empirical’s Shaney Forbes. Charles Hutchinson gets up to speed with the Velocity Trio’s main man.

What is the vibe behind Velocity Trio? Art Blakey, Jimmy Smith and the edgy side of funk are rumoured to be influences.

“It’s based on 1930s’ swing and moving into the bebop era, as I wanted to do something so different from my usual ensemble. It’s a funky dance group because I wanted to give more prominence to the trombone in a trio, hence this new organ trio – and I don’t know of any other jazz organ trio led by a trombone.”

What set the idea for this trio in motion?

“I was talking to a saxophonist, Courtney Pine [Dennis drops in that name in without pausing at its significance], and he threw a challenge out to me as I said I’d been looking to do something different. In this present climate, playing in a trio appealed and I just adore the jazz organ, which is very similar in warmth and tone to the trombone.”

How did the trio take shape?

“It’s been an on-going, developing thing. Originally, when I had the idea, I chose a couple of musicians who aren’t available now, so I’ve changed it to Mike Gorman and Shaney Forbes.

“It’s very challenging music for all of us: it’s not just here are some chords, here we go.

“And it’s not that I’m going to just do something better than before: I’m incorporating different styles, Latin, African, Cuban, funk, so something very raw, branching out into new directions.”

Where might those directions be?

“I just feel that this is the beginning and this concert is the start of many more. I’m hoping to record an album by September/October, maybe aiming for a release early next year.

“Part of the challenge from Courtney was that I’m looking to record it for his label, Destiny World, at his studio in North London, keeping it tight as a trio, so that if there is to be a guest, it will be a vocalist.”

Finally Dennis, why call your new project Velocity Trio?

“I wanted a title that reflects the movement of where I’m trying to take it. It really is something that’s not been done before and I want that sense of moving forward in an exciting way.”

•Tickets: £15, concessions £13, students £5, on 01904 658338 or www.ncem.co.uk