Originally posted by Joseph K
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That looks right, so thanks Joseph. -
I went to The Anvil at Basingstoke last night to hear Yan Pascal Tortelier conduct an orchestra from Iceland perfroming Bizet's "Arlesienne Suite" , Prokofiev's "Romer & Juliet" and Ravels piano concerto for one hand. There was also a contemporary, microtonal by Anna Thorvoldsdottir which was something and nothing. The piece sat on one chord for the opening couple of minutes and just seemed to demonstrate how a lot of contemporary music comes up with interesting techniques but not much inspiration as to how to employ them. It did not sit well with the Prokofiev which was incredible nor have the savvy wit of Ravel's concerto which I think is a masterpiece of concept and orchestration.
This was the already the third gig I have been to this year if you include Alexei Sayle. I think the Ravel is fascinating because the second movement is considered to have been influenced by jazz yet it is difficult to think of anything in jazz that sounded like that in 1930. You could almost sense a West Coast feel to the music. I really love Ravel's music but the Anvil always seem to put on programmes which heavily feature German or Russian composers and a lot of the more interesting composers might crop up once a year. I go to a symphony concert once a year at least and would go more often if the programming was more inspired. Tortelier is a conductor I wold love to see again because he was so enthused by the music.Comment
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Just back from seeing guitarist Ant Law alto saxophonist Camilla George in Newhampton, Wolverhampton. There were a couple of acts following them - Tina May and Julian Siegel - but after Camilla George I wasn't really feeling it - bit bored I guess and the prospect of vocalist Tina May didn't entice. The reason I went was to see Ant Law and he and his band did not disappoint. Most the way back home I've had the tune 'Two Bridges' in my head, and it was nice seeing them play it live - I have the sheet music and from this and of course having and knowing the album version it was great to hear the liberty with which Ant and the other musicians (but mainly Ant) interpret the chords - very adventurous and at times quite out. Also nice to hear some new tunes! And Ant was very friendly, spotting me and saying hello before the gig during the sound check and going over to me and then having a nice chat after he'd finished his set. I was pleased to compliment him on his right-hand finger picking (after mentioning how I'd stopped playing jazz guitar and had returned to classical guitar) - this being a technique not often utilised by jazz guitarists, or at least not to the proficiency of Ant Law (whose plectrum technique is also something to marvel at!) but it makes for some very nice and not-oft heard in this context textures. I look forward to his next album.Comment
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Glad to hear you went to this, JK. I know Ant as well - he is a nice bloke, and maybe I should have asked you to give him my regards!Originally posted by Joseph K View PostComment
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I once tried to chat Tina May up! When she was a post grad student at Cardiff School of Music, at Gibbs Jazz Club, 1980s, the Cardiff answer to Ronnie's. We were both at the bar, getting on quite well, and there was a young guy playing an alto set with a trio. She turned to me and said "he's really brilliant isn't he?" I said, "Well, if brilliant is playing an Art Pepper record & solos note for note, maybe!" Which he did, Art's "No limit"album. She glared at me and said, "He's wonderful, he's my boyfriend!". I mumbled, "Yeah OK, still can I buy you a drink?". "NO YOU CAN'T!!!!". I did meet her again a few years later and she was very nice. Obviously she didn't remember.Originally posted by Serial_Apologist View PostComment
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Originally posted by BLUESNIK'S REVOX View Post
There are probably any number of embarrassing Tiny May encounter stories.
21 October 2008: St Cyprian's church in Marylebone (I now see from the Jazz In London leaflet): two duos - Maria Pia De Vito accompanied by Huw Warren, and Norma Winstone by Glauco Venier, her ECM stablemate. I can remember it being a very cold occasion: no heating in the building and the audience well padded to keep warm. In the first half I spotted pianist Nikki Iles seated on the other side of the stage from me, so, bold but not becalmed, over I go to chat with her during the interval: the usual pleasantries such as how are you, and what work are you doing at the moment? And what about that wonderful duo which you had with Tina May however many years ago it was? "Well, it's still going actually, but really Tiny is the person you should also be asking about that". Me: "It's been a long time since I saw Tina; how is she, do you know?" Nikki: "Well she happens to be sat right beside me at this moment!"
I hadn't recognised Tina from the heavily hooded figure on Nikki's left!!!
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Next gig, Dave Newton trio at The Fleece. Haven't been to live jazz for about 2 years.Comment
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Went to the Writtle Jazz Festival on Sunday. Great day out. Wonderful to see so many people there enjoying live music again in a normal way - hardly a mask in sight !!!
Excellent performances. The 18 months of lockdown seemed to result in the musicians really revelling in playing live again.
Here's the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/writtlejazzfestivalComment
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Well done for helping keep the foat abloat, CGR - lots of unknown knowns there from the facebook entries, for me, showing my age, I guess.Originally posted by CGR View PostComment
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Just seen the Kurt Rosenwinkel Trio. Absolutely awesome it was! And the opening act was really good too. About half of the songs Kurt played were from his Angels Around album, and there were a few I didn't recognise and a few standards like Sandu and I'll Remember April. He's an electrifying improviser with a great, multicoloured vocabulary of chords which he seamlessly integrates into his solos. Of course, his phrasing is wonderful and very vocal (he can be heard singing along to his lines). I bought two of his most recent albums, Chopin Project and Plays the Piano, and I got to meet him - photo forthcoming!
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I've tried doing that - but not only did it hold me up; my digital inspiration is far superior to my vocal one!Originally posted by Joseph K View PostJust seen the Kurt Rosenwinkel Trio. Absolutely awesome it was! And the opening act was really good too. About half of the songs Kurt played were from his Angels Around album, and there were a few I didn't recognise and a few standards like Sandu and I'll Remember April. He's an electrifying improviser with a great, multicoloured vocabulary of chords which he seamlessly integrates into his solos. Of course, his phrasing is wonderful and very vocal (he can be heard singing along to his lines). I bought two of his most recent albums, Chopin Project and Plays the Piano, and I got to meet him - photo forthcoming!
Glad you enjoyed the gig, JK!Comment
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Thanks - and what I omitted to mention in my previous post was that I was second person in line to gain entry, and I actually ended up with the most ideal standing-spot in the whole place, right in front of the man himself!Originally posted by Serial_Apologist View Post After lots of walking and standing, I ended up having to rest my legs against the side of the stage.
Here's the photo:
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BTW, the opening act was Daisy George's band:
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Ok, so I've discovered this picture, which shows where I was standing at the gig:
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Great pics!Originally posted by Joseph K View Post
(If the Daisy George tracks in the link were typical, I would have had to endure that band before the main feature!)Last edited by Serial_Apologist; 31-03-22, 22:25.Comment
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