jazz in the papers part two ...........

[Byas'd Opinion]

I found Glasper a bit boring too (Glasgow Jazz Festival gig), although from the reception he got I was obviously very much in the minority. I'd love to hear his trio live, but I thought the Experiment got stranded in a no-man's-land where they'd moved away from jazz but weren't funky enough for those of us who like our funk uncut.

Here's another piece form today's papers: trumpeter Colin Steele on almost being forced to give up playing through ill-health, and relearning his technique mid-career.

http://www.heraldscotland.com/arts-ents/music/trick-is-to-keep-breathing.18176905

[Serial_Apologist]

I found Glasper a bit boring too (Glasgow Jazz Festival gig), although from the reception he got I was obviously very much in the minority. I'd love to hear his trio live, but I thought the Experiment got stranded in a no-man's-land where they'd moved away from jazz but weren't funky enough for those of us who like our funk uncut.

Here's another piece form today's papers: trumpeter Colin Steele on almost being forced to give up playing through ill-health, and relearning his technique mid-career.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/arts-e...thing.18176905

Great news that about Colin Steele; thanks Byas'd.

[Ian Thumwood]

SA / Byas


I was debating seeing Robert Glasper's new group at Vienne and in the end plumped to see Stephane Belmondo's group later on in the festival. It was a close call as Belmondo's group played second fiddle to Melody Gardot whose group proved to be a pastiche of jazz. in fact, it was a bit staggering to discover how poor she was a both a vocalist and songwriter since she whispered the lyrics. Her band seemed like session musicians too. Personally, I would be more concerned if Gardot presented a swing in jazz towards a more "fashionable" approach as the music is bad enough to make you feel fondly about Dido. (Remember her?) She is certainly a marketing executive's muse - the best bit of her gig was when she tripped over the lead of the mike whilst trying to make a dramatic entrance and she had to steady herself on her walking stick. Contrasted with REAL music by the likes of Belmondo with Lightsey and Billy Hart, the gulf between the two bands was enormous.


Robert Glasper was on a double bill with Erykah Badu and I wish I had gone to that gig instead in some respect. One of my friends who is in her early twenties is a big fan of the singer but was disappointed that she had to miss the gig which she understood to have been good. As far as the pianist is concerned, I am also friends with a big band of college students from Australia and tend to hang out with their teachers which is always a good craic. All the kids in this band were raving about Glasper more than anything else and many of them had the record. There was masses of enthusiasm for his music and someone was even sharp enpigh to notice when they heard a car drive past the hotel with his version of "Smells like teen spirit" blasting out of the window. It wasn't just one or two people who were favourable, it was most of them including the two girls. I think it is easy to be critical as an adult and then to miss the point that Glasper isn't trying to reach out to our generation. We should forget that the teenagers checking out the jazz of today are more often in to this kind of stuff than anything recorded onBlue Note or Impulse. You can also say the same for Trombone Shorty whose gig I also missed! Kids of 16-18 who are in to jazz are listening to the likes of Glasper and this is where the music is happening for them just as I was into Bill Frisell when I was their age. The same applies to the likes of my friend Sarah who would find that Glasper's approach fits in very nicely with her taste in music and doesn't sound like something from another generation which would be the case of anything recorded up until the last 10-15 years. (Even the members of "The Bad Plus" are either bald or totally grey! ) Also worth noting that the kids who are looking for more demanding jazz are checking out the likes of Akinmusire, Esperanza Spalding or Gretchen Parlato. None of these musicians compromises the music to pander to the lowest common denominator and perhaps represent a fresh approach to the music that is intelligent but approachable at the same time. I think that you have missed the point about this music. The music moves on and, as always, there is always a side of jazz that wans to flirt with popular culture. In some ways, I find what is happening in jazz now to be refreshing and American musicians seem to be coming out of the woodork at an early age with an approach to the music which contrasts nicely with the young Neos of the 1980's. I would have to say, I would choose Glasper over Colin Steel every time even if "Black Radio" isn't his best ensemble.

[Serial_Apologist]

SA / Byas




Glasper's approach fits in very nicely with her taste in music and doesn't sound like something from another generation which would be the case of anything recorded up until the last 10-15 years.

Well then once again I have to disagree about that, Ian. To my ears, at any rate, Glasper is straight out of late 70s Herbie Hancock with vocoda - precisely what many of "my generation" (or the half-generation coming after me) was/were listening to.

I realise this has never been your particular area of the music, Ian, which is maybe why you write as you do, but I suggest you go back there and check some of it out.

[Ian Thumwood]

SA

In some respects I agree with you but I think that the likes of Herbie Hancock are hugely influential on a lot of today's popular music where bands are checking stuff out from the 70's. this makes it sound a bit retro. I think it isn't quite a total rehash as you suggest but I agree it is where these acts are taking their cues. The rhythms used are a bit more contemporary. check out this track by "Daft Punk" , for example, and you can hear the influence or Herbie and even see that one of the characters in the video is Herbie from the Headhunter's era.


Where the music is changing is the technology which allows things to be done which wasn't possible in the 70;s. Also worth noting that Glasper is using a number of rappers in this project which, I would suggest, is something that is certainly post-Headhunters.

[Tom Adustus]

I found Glasper a bit boring too (Glasgow Jazz Festival gig), although from the reception he got I was obviously very much in the minority. I'd love to hear his trio live, but I thought the Experiment got stranded in a no-man's-land where they'd moved away from jazz but weren't funky enough for those of us who like our funk uncut.

Here's another piece form today's papers: trumpeter Colin Steele on almost being forced to give up playing through ill-health, and relearning his technique mid-career.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/arts-e...thing.18176905

Having now heard a number of tracks from the Glasper CD my initial view has been reinforced. Its rather too pop orientated for my tastes. Pity really, the bloke has some talent, if only he'd allow it to swing !

[Serial_Apologist]

SA

In some respects I agree with you but I think that the likes of Herbie Hancock are hugely influential on a lot of today's popular music where bands are checking stuff out from the 70's. this makes it sound a bit retro. I think it isn't quite a total rehash as you suggest but I agree it is where these acts are taking their cues. The rhythms used are a bit more contemporary. check out this track by "Daft Punk" , for example, and you can hear the influence or Herbie and even see that one of the characters in the video is Herbie from the Headhunter's era.


Where the music is changing is the technology which allows things to be done which wasn't possible in the 70;s. Also worth noting that Glasper is using a number of rappers in this project which, I would suggest, is something that is certainly post-Headhunters.

Only just caught up on this, with apologies, Ian.

Yes - post "Rockit"-Herbie - which I personally thought one of his wittiest releases.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

well i am glad you all got that out of yer whatsits!

..there will be a prom about/for Django

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

John Fordham's August

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

Mr Fordham offers a meaty column for September .... has any one seen Triish Clowes [a lady that sounds like Stan getz ... oh if only TC were about the place]

[Serial_Apologist]

Mr Fordham offers a meaty column for September .... has any one seen Triish Clowes [a lady that sounds like Stan getz ... oh if only TC were about the place]

Trish sometimes appears, both playing and on the door, at the SE Collective's weekly Tuesday gigs down at the Amersham Arms, just opposite New Cross tube. Perhaps not so frequently now, as she's obviously getting ahead beyond sarf east Lunnun's friendly ambience. But she is one of the SEC, who put on a hugely impressive gig combining all 12 members into 2 sextets playing challenging re-cobbled arrangements from each of their respective bands, and doing a really good job of it, given they'd only had a week's rehearsals. It was the SEC's first anniversary. I'm pretty sure I posted 1 or 2 clips of her band at this venue, taken (not by me) when I was present, just under a year ago, but I'll see if they're still available and dig them out for here. Not sure if the Getz comparison really applies to Trish - like many of the young 'uns these days both and all sides of The Pond drawn to our attention by Ian, yourself and others, influences are blended as if to everything from Getz onward born. First impressions impressed (sorry about that), although I thought at the time her playing was a tad overwhelmed by the arrangements, not in terms of their complexity but maybe she needed miking up in the mix, which, being an intimate and seldom crowded place (which I wish, oh I just wish it were - af trawl they only charge a fiver on the door), her pals at the Amersham don't place high in priorities. But she certainly got stuck in a fortnight ago.

I'll look up that clip and edit it in here if I can find it.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

she is gonna be a r3 young thing next time round

[Serial_Apologist]

Here's one of several clips on this page of that gig I mentioned - a number that reminds me vaguely of one of Paul Bley's tunes. Watch out for some really subtle interplay between James Maddren and the bass player, breaking up the metric structure without destroying the flow at around 6 mins.:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfs77puWN6E

They've improved the lighting at the venue since this was taken!

Here's Trish in interview:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asrDsceBGdI

[Ian Thumwood]

S-A

Must admit that I'd never heard of Trish Clowes until I read this interview on "All about jazz" this week:-

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=42930&pg=1

I it strange that this reminded you on Paul Bley as I was immediately put in my of Chico Hamilton's music. I don't think you can grumble at the result. For me, the music has a nice, open , spacey feel and there is a springiness in the drumming that also recalls Hamilton.

The Cooper response can probably be quite easilty summised. The reference to the fact that the articles all compare TC to Stan Getz and the fact the she is young and female would probably score low in his mindset. There are quite a few pretty impressive girl saxophonists on the current scene. I know that in the State there is a altoist called Peggy Lee who has been mentored by Lee Konitz and is really well considered. Elsewhere, I've liked the French tenor player Sophie Alour but I would say that TC's propensity for writing will make her one to watch. Nice to see that she is not at all modish and very much doing her own thing. Thanks for the heads up.

[Byas'd Opinion]

Yes, an interesting clip. I knew her name but had never heard anything by her before.

James Maddren is the business, isn't he? The bass player is Calum Gourlay, by the way, whose other semi-regular gigs include the Kit Downes Trio and the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra.

I think Stan Getz is the standard modern comparison for any current light-toned tenor player: no doubt a couple of generations ago she's have been compared to Lester Young.