This Paul Hamlyn Fundation award for Mark and Rachel is particularly encouraging news for the sharp end of creative jazz and improv in the UK at this juncture. Rachel's been around for a good ten years now as a free improvising tenor and soprano saxophonist in whom one may detect something of Archie Shepp's gruff astringency and sonorous intuition - she also plays in comparatively straight ahead contexts under her initiative, and composer of her own materials; Mark we've known for a number decades now in association with Evan Parker among others: a drummer of ferocious sustained energy when needed (eg alongside Paul Dunmall and Liam Noble in a free trio recalling Keith Tippett's Mujician) but also of delicacy, and an interest in unorthodox sonorities, evoking electronic music.
I see our Mister The Gendre was on the panel for this.
Here they both are in a recent trio with the bassist Oli Bryce ("the Bryce is Right!"), and in the second clip Rachel chats about what she was involved with a couple of years ago, presumably leading up to where she now is with the award:
Just Stop Oil would appear to have had a go at Mark's bass drum!
This award sets a wonderful example and can only help boost the growing interest in free jazz and improv among female newcomers to the scene.
I see our Mister The Gendre was on the panel for this.
Here they both are in a recent trio with the bassist Oli Bryce ("the Bryce is Right!"), and in the second clip Rachel chats about what she was involved with a couple of years ago, presumably leading up to where she now is with the award:
Just Stop Oil would appear to have had a go at Mark's bass drum!
This award sets a wonderful example and can only help boost the growing interest in free jazz and improv among female newcomers to the scene.