JAZZ can be such an expressive form of music which can tell hundreds of different stories.

However, for Matthew Read, his story of jazz has a special place in Basingstoke and the venue to which he is set to make a return.

“I remember going to a gig at the Forge that changed my outlook on music and the stylings of jazz,” Read told The Gazette.

“I went to see this free-forming jazz band and I had never seen anything like that, and it really taught me how you don’t need to stick to a rigid structure.”

For the Winchester-born musician it is this element of no strict rules which he brings to his music with the Matthew Read Trio.

Completed by guitarist Benedict Wood and drummer Arthur Newell, the trio draw influence from a multitude of styles including jazz, folk, country, hip hop and dance music.

This is reflected in their live shows when structure takes a back seat to the music itself.

Read added: “We take things to the extreme when it comes to improvising our music.

“Sometimes I start off with a melody and a chord sequence and from there everything is up for grabs.

“We like it to be so improvised that we don’t even write set lists. We know what song we want to start with, but the rest is very free rein.”

Having studied at Alton College and growing up in Winchester, returning to Hampshire has always held special significance to the bass player.

“There has never really been a huge need for jazz in Hampshire,” Read continued.

“So when we come to shows in the county if we get one person who takes away something from one of our shows we have done something right.”

The Matthew Read Trio will be performing at The Forge on March 8.

For more information and tickets visit anvilarts.org.uk.