Jazz Articles about Barry Guy

About Barry Guy

Album Review

Evan Parker / Barry Guy / Paul Lytton: Concert In Vilnius

Read "Concert In Vilnius" reviewed by John Sharpe

by John Sharpe
March 13, 2020

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 ...

Live Review

Barry Guy's Blue Shroud Band at Aghavannagh Barracks

by John Sharpe
September 15, 2019

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 ...

Live Review

Not Two... But Twenty! Festival

by John Sharpe
October 13, 2018

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 ...

Live Review

Barry Guy & Izumi Kimura At The Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin

by Ian Patterson
March 31, 2017

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 ...

Album Review

Barry Guy, Marilyn Crispell, Paul Lytton: Deep Memory

Read "Deep Memory" reviewed by Neri Pollastri

by Neri Pollastri
February 13, 2017

Quarto CD di questo trio di storici improvvisatori, che come gli altri esce per l'etichetta Intakt. Qui la musica, tutta di Barry Guy, prende spunto da una mostra di quadri del pittore Hughie O'Donoghue, tanto che ogni brano è relativo a una delle sue opere, riportate (anche se con immagini troppo piccole per poterle apprezzare appieno) nel libretto che accompagna il disco. A prescindere dall'interpretazione delle immagini, la musica che vi si ascolta è molto bella, in un ...

Album Review

Barry Guy / Marilyn Crispell / Paul Lytton: Deep Memory

Read "Deep Memory" reviewed by John Sharpe

by John Sharpe
December 22, 2016

Bassist Barry Guy took a key role in pianist Howard Riley's groundbreaking trio in the late 60s, early 70s. And while that early experience has in no way defined him, it means it perhaps comes as less of a surprise that he has increasingly turned to the format in the latter part of his career. One offs apart, the two enduring piano trio vehicles for the bassist are the Aurora Trio with Agusti Fernandez and Ramon Lopez, and the accomplished ...

Album Review

Barry Guy: The Blue Shroud

Read "The Blue Shroud" reviewed by John Sharpe

by John Sharpe
September 17, 2016

In some ways, The Blue Shroud might be Barry Guy's signature work. It's the first to unite his varied interests in Baroque music, composition, jazz and improv at an orchestral scale. To do so Guy assembles a 14-strong crack unit capable of interpreting each aspect to the highest level, including several early music specialists who are also able to extemporize. And Guy's topic is worthy of such endeavor. He takes as his inspiration three interlinked themes, the ...