ez Nelson presents saxophonist Archie Shepp in performance with pianist Joachim Kuhn at the London Jazz Festival. Shepp cut his teeth as part of 'The New Thing' in the 1960s, playing extensively with the likes of John Coltrane and Cecil Taylor before going on to explore more traditional African-American traditions and developing one of the most distinctive saxophone sounds of recent decades. Kuhn has been part of the European avant-garde for just as long, integrating contemporary classical sounds in work with violinist Jean-Luc Ponty and reeds player Michel Portal, more recently earning plaudits for duo work with Ornette Coleman. He and Shepp perform music from their recent critically acclaimed album Wo!man, a collaboration that sees them play together for the first time in many years.
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based on the excerpt last week from these two i am giving this a miss ....According to the best estimates of astronomers there are at least one hundred billion galaxies in the observable universe. -
Probably a wise move!Originally posted by aka Calum Da Jazbo View Post
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Well Mr Kuhn made a very fine CD with Ornette about a decade ago, (or was it 2?
), so I will be tuning in.
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from newsletterAfter a whirlwind 10 days, the London Jazz Festival came to a close last night. But there's no danger of any hangover, with tonight's programme one of several over the coming weeks that will continue to bring you the best of the festival, long after the circus has left town.
We start with a taste of one of those programmes – an excerpt from the concert by Michel Portal last Monday. He's got an exciting and intriguing band together that includes Serbian pianist Bojan Z and trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, who we featured on the show earlier in the year. There's much more of this performance to bring you in January.
Tonight's main event though is saxophonist Archie Shepp and pianist Joachim Kühn, one of the most heralded new partnerships of the year. On the face of it it's mainly a set of standards, but both players move at ease between uncompromising interpretations of the themes and what are at times quite abstract episodes. Both players are intense and direct, but in very different ways, Shepp through his distinctively oily sound, Kühn with a dazzling touch and flurrying fingers, as in his solo in Ornette Coleman's Lonely Woman that ends the first part of the performance.
Kevin Le Gendre then talks to both musicians, including about a musical relationship that, while rarely active, stretches back to the 1960s. This is a reminder of Shepp and Kühn's shared free-jazz heritage, though there's a straighter lyricism underpinning tonight's performance too, nowhere more so than in the closing rendition of Sophisticated Lady.
well me too for the Portal; will try the Shepp Kuhn but the track last week was decidedly uninteresting ...According to the best estimates of astronomers there are at least one hundred billion galaxies in the observable universe.Comment
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SHEPP/KUHN...Jo3 last night...
"Oh, how the years have withered them."
Somewhat better on a second hearing.
"Fire"? One bar electric.
BN.
Old tenor players never die...they just turn into a fading Paul Gonsalves c. 1970.Comment
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What do people think of Mr Kuhn's playing? Never been able to make up my mind if I like it or not - a note-spinner? too flash? Too clever by half? Kevin Le G way off beam in comparing him to Cecil Taylor, surely. Jaspar van t'Hof is another: over-formulated (which can never be said of CT) - more McCoy via Corea. I thought the two of them came together more as the standard sequel was gone through at the end.Originally posted by BLUESNIK'S REVOX View PostComment
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mr kuhn is perfect for mr shep's meanderings ... rather like a knitting machine rising to the challenge of being fed random strands of wool.
the two compliment each other.
no point, whatsoever, in cecil t comparisons.
nor was fire worth mentioning.
the tunes were mellow and melancholy. perhaps round and golden worthington toffees would have been a more appropriate comparison to draw?
having said this, i quite enjoyed it, but didn't think i would. perhaps i quite like 'oily' sax playing after all? certainly ideal for sleeping to.
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I thought it ironic that Shepp often cited Paul Gonsalves as an influence in his '60s "free" days and has ended up sounding rather like Paul G. did at the end of his life (c. 1972) when he (PG) was usually totally loaded and barely functional. If you think Lester was deeply sad at the end, ckeck out Gonsalves in London c. 1970 with Kenny Wheeler and Tracey ("Hummingbird"). "Paul's drunk again!" - Duke Ellington.
But good luck to Archie and it was "OK ish"...but if it was anyone else ?
BN.Comment
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if it was anyone else ?
....... they'd be a wolf in shep's clothing?
i might have another listen....(after anoushka shankar gig tonight), as shep is sooooo relaxed, and relaxing the jo3 sesh is perfect wind down music.
good luck to Archie
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the point surely is the preview of the Portal Quintet we shall be able to hear on 23 January 2012 ....According to the best estimates of astronomers there are at least one hundred billion galaxies in the observable universe.Comment
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Somewhat better on a second hearing.
yes, they both sounded great second time! especially 'lonely woman'.
the point surely is the preview of the Portal Quintet we shall be able to hear on 23 January 2012 ....
as mentioned on the programme, after the 'dolphy' titled portal track. i liked burning dog's link to a portal track recently... last time mp was featured; and the 'jazz library' episode on him was good. but let's squeeze xmas in first... before january though eh!
it was shep's night really, and mr kuhn's, and everyone present at the gig. i bet kevin the genre loved interviewing them both too, instantly recogniseable names to add to his cv triumphs! i wonder how much tickets were?Comment
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