John Geggie, 'No Boundaries' Series with Mike Murley and Jim Doxas

John Kelman

Senior Editor since 2004

With the realization that there will always be more music coming at him than he can keep up with, John wonders why anyone would think that jazz is dead or dying.

Recent articles (2,378 total)

Published: April 8, 2004

View All 1 2

The group finished the night off with an exercise in contrast, from the traditional approach of the standard “Never Let Me Go” to the freewheeling Carla Bley staple, “Syndrome,” where the theme was used as a jumping off point for each member’s free and standalone solo. Every solo demonstrated how the barest sketch of an idea can provide substantial source material for exploratory verve.

A well-deserved encore saw the group return to more standard territory, taking the heat down a notch after the sheer intensity of the set closer. Throughout the evening, regardless of the material, the trio showed that true improvisational spirit is about a sense of adventure that treats roots with some reverence, but is coupled with an in the moment inventiveness that expands on them, always searching for something new. Kudos to John Geggie for bringing this fine series to Ottawa and for having the good sense to realize that, in a town where live music is sometimes considered a secondary market, there is both a place and demand for high calibre jazz.

Visit John Geggie on the web.

View All 1 2