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Angelika Niescier / Alexander Hawkins: Soul In Plain Sight
by Mark Corroto
Some pairings were just meant to be. Exhibit one, Soul In Plain Sight by the duo of Angelika Niescier and Alexander Hawkins. Niescier, the Polish-born Germany-based saxophonist, met the British pianist Hawkins at the Berlin Jazzfest. Their mutual admiration led to a brief tour and this recording. The music succeeds here because of the musicians' balanced approach and compatible natures. Opening with the cleanse and purge of the improvised “Brawls And Squabbles," the pair spar with push/pull jabs. Hawkins hammers ...
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Corrado Beldì il poliedrico: su NovaraJazz e non solo
by Libero Farnè
Dopo aver partecipato a NovaraJazz per un paio di giorni nel 2008 e nel 2011, ho incontrato di nuovo il suo direttore artistico Corrado Beldì al Talos Festival di Ruvo di Puglia nel 2014, quando di scena era l'Instant Composers Pool. Mi trovai di fronte un quarantenne giovanile, estroverso, sempre pronto a una risata contagiosa e alla compagnia. Nel 2018 fu scelto per subentrare a Gianni Pini alla presidenza di I--Jazz, l'associazione che raccoglie la maggior parte dei festival italiani. ...
Continue ReadingAlexander Hawkins, Michael Gregory Jackson & Cowboys & Frenchmen
by Maurice Hogue
New releases galore this edition to sift through and that's always enjoyable. Pianist Alexander Hawkins goes large ensemble on his new Togetherness Music and which is graced by the presence of the great Evan Parker; the Finnish duo of Timo Lassy and Teppo Makynen tear things down on the opening track; the trio of Brian Jones, Adam Hopkins and Trey Pollard chip in with a track from their Kaleidoscope Haze; there are two new bands from Italy; renowned saxophonist Lenny ...
Continue ReadingAlexander Hawkins: Togetherness Music (For Sixteen Musicians)
by Giuseppe Segala
Con questo lavoro, Alexander Hawkins aggiunge una tessera significativa al proprio originale percorso artistico, qui in particolare nella dialettica tra improvvisazione e musica scritta, dimostrando una maturazione consapevole e in costante sviluppo. Attento, curioso, audace, guidato da un sicuro istinto e da lucidità progettuale, il pianista di Oxford rappresenta la punta di diamante della propria generazione, quella sulla soglia dei quarant'anni. Il suo itinerario e la sua personalità sono in grado di confrontarsi e interagire efficacemente con i grandi protagonisti ...
Continue ReadingAlexander Hawkins Feat. Evan Parker + Riot Ensemble: Togetherness Music (For Sixteen Musicians)
by Mark Corroto
It is obvious from the outset that this is a significant recording. Evan Parker launches into his trademark soprano saxophone circular breathing, setting the stage for things to come. An exemplar of all things free improvisation, his virtuosity never fails to amaze. Although Parker is the marquee soloist here, the composer and organizer of this session, Alexander Hawkins, created the six movements of this suite to pioneer an intersection between free improvisation and contemporary chamber music. Certainly not an easy ...
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