Pianist Deschanel Gordon wins Young Jazz Musician 2020:
JR
JR
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Last edited by Jazzrook; 23-11-20, 15:17. -
I think I would have given it to Alex Clarke. She played with unfeigned enthusiasm, putting her whole self into the performance, and, as Orphy Robinson pointed out with possibly unintended irony (?) rolled out her bebop phrases well. I was left wondering if Guy Barker tipped the team the line to follow by drawing attention to Deschanel by way of the changes in direction in his performance, "there's nothing like not knowing what's coming next" in Orphy's words, more-or-less, because I was left scratching my head at the unprepared switch to reggae gestures that were reggae in all but spirit at one point: and if you're going to do "Giant Steps" you really do have to have something new to say about it or find something less "iconic" on which to make the mark. Matt Carmichael, the tenor player who came on first, reminded me of the young Ed Jones, but at the same time that the radical ways Ken Hyder approached the Celtic outer edges got overlooked when Tommy Smith came along and Scotland handed over its fishing rights to Norway. Kieland Sheir was OK, but much representive of the school of bass playing that put it back in the largely underpinning role it had before the greats like Charlie Haden, Gary Peacock, and our own Dave Holland and Paul Rogers brought in a more emancipated place for the bass. But that wouldn't have fitted in with the revanchist view of jazz inner democracy that took over with the neos in the 1980s.Originally posted by Jazzrook View PostPianist Deschanel Gordon wins Young Jazz Musician 2020:
JR
I've given up looking for originality in these sorts of competitions any more. Competency in reproducing most of what had become outworn in terms of being innovatory 60 years ago, with added smiles, seems to be the outcome sought: Ken Colyer would have been converted to bebop on the examples exhibited [sic] last night! I have a feeling that guitarist Ralph Porrett might not seem so gifted on re-examination - again I was amused by the irony of his laid back attitude on the last number, the quasi-spiritual ballad, being "complimented" for daring to take its time: for me that was a mis-description for the most un-happening part of the evening. Once again jazz is being presented as just another musical genre to " master" the conventions of - in this instance emblematically highlighted by the absence of an audience. Apart from Xhosa Cole's impressive and utterly brave unaccompanied tribute to George Floyd, YolaDa Brown gave the performance of the night in her hosting of the event. On a more constructive point, however, given the quality of the backing band I was surprised not to have seen them granted a greater role than accompanying, with the exception of drummer Mark Mondesir who I thought delivered more encouragement to the newcomers than the others: surely ONE chorus each from Nikki Yeoh and Mike Mondesir to offer them something to follow up on would not have been too much to ask? It used to be done that way in years gone by! -
Didn't watch the competition and won't but based on the video Jazzrook posted, Gordon is a very fine player.
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Originally posted by Jazzrook View PostPianist Deschanel Gordon wins Young Jazz Musician 2020:
JR
I preferred Alex Clarke. She really seemed to be fully absorbed in her playing. I could have listened to her all night. Not so the others.
Deschanel Gordon was probably the performance I enjoyed least.
The guitarist started well and I thought "We could have a winner here", but then went downhill very quickly when he went all fusion. So typical of so many guitarists playing jazz.Last edited by CGR; 24-11-20, 09:56.Comment
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