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London Jazz Composers Orchestra: That Time
by John Sharpe
Issued to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of the London Jazz Composers Orchestra, That Time uncovers a fascinating window on the early years of the pioneering company which are only sparsely documented elsewhere. The first two tracks from Berlin and Donaueschingen date from 1972, some six months after the LJCO's debut album Ode (Intakt, 1996), while the last two were captured in 1980, the same year as Stringer (Intakt, 2006). Engineer Ferran Conangla has done a marvelous job ...
Continue ReadingTorben Snekkestad / Agusti Fernandez / Barry Guy: The Swiftest Traveler
by John Sharpe
A trio of exploratory and quick-witted improvisers unite for an exciting and stimulating outing on The Swiftest Traveler. Norwegian reedman Torben Snekkestad and Catalan pianist Agusti Fernandez are comrades of bassist Barry Guy in his The Blue Shroud Band and also the 2020 edition of the London Jazz Composers Orchestra. The three familiars forge an alchemical transformation of disparate sounds into music, abstract in the sense of Miro rather than Pollock, in that its assembly hails from recognizable fragments.
Continue ReadingLondon Jazz Composers Orchestra 50 Year Anniversary
by John Sharpe
London Jazz Composers Orchestra Alchemia and Manggha Museum Krakow, Poland March 6-8, 2020 Intro Fifty years and counting. One of the most important larger bands in European jazz, The London Jazz Composers Orchestra celebrated its golden anniversary over three days in Krakow which culminated in a triumphant performance of “Harmos." Long a staple of the LJCO repertoire, with its beautiful melody, it's one of leader Barry Guy's most approachable works. This rendition was powerful ...
Continue ReadingEvan Parker / Barry Guy / Paul Lytton: Concert In Vilnius
by John Sharpe
In a world riven by climate chaos and the attack on truth, on both sides of the Atlantic, it is reassuring that some things remain constant. At this stage of an existence dating back to the early 80s, the superlative British trio of saxophonist Evan Parker, bassist Barry Guy and drummer Paul Lytton plays only a few concerts each year. When they do, the results tend to the spectacular, and Concert In Vilnius only affirms that. In fact, when taken ...
Continue ReadingBarry Guy's Blue Shroud Band at Aghavannagh Barracks
by John Sharpe
Barry Guy Blue Shroud Band Aghavannagh Barracks Wicklow, Ireland August 14-15, 2019 Have you ever wondered what goes into a performance? For some it might just be a quick run through of familiar standards, while for free improvisers any prep at all might be anathema. But for a large ensemble rehearsal is pretty much essential. Even more so when it comprises 14 musicians from nine countries who don't get together on a regular basis, as ...
Continue ReadingNot Two...But Twenty! Festival
by John Sharpe
Not Two...But Twenty! Festival Wlen, Poland September 21-23, 2018 Intro There are some things worth celebrating in style, one of them being marked persistence in the face of adversity. That pretty much describes the continued existence of any jazz record label in these straitened times. To mark its 20th anniversary, Not Two Records convened an unprecedented line up of thirteen musicians from nine countries for a three day festival in the small village ...
Continue ReadingBarry Guy & Izumi Kimura At The Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin
by Ian Patterson
Barry Guy & Izumi Kimura The Hugh Lane Gallery Dublin, Ireland March 12, 2017 The Hugh Lane Gallery has been hosting free Sunday afternoon concerts in Dublin for over forty years--a remarkable feat by any yardstick. It's the quality of the music, however, that makes this weekly event something truly special. This Sunday saw Barry Guy and Izumi Kimura together for the first time, as part of the inaugural Spectrum festival, a weekend celebration of ...
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