Jazz Articles about Raphael Clarkson

About Raphael Clarkson

Album Review

Laura Jurd & Paul Dunmall: Fanfares & Freedom

Read "Fanfares & Freedom" reviewed by John Sharpe

by John Sharpe
March 11, 2025

Well this is an entertaining premise. Free jazz maven Paul Dunmall as featured soloist in a suite composed by up- and-coming trumpeter Laura Jurd. Actually, the reality is more complex. It might be more accurate to say that the unfettered spirits of Dunmall's quartet, with bassist Caius Williams, drummer Miles Levin and pianist Liam Noble, offer the contrast with Jurd's score for a brass quintet. The unlikely combination came about as a commission from the Cheltenham Jazz Festival by promoter ...

Album Review

Kevin Figes: You Are Here

Read "You Are Here" reviewed by Jack Kenny

by Jack Kenny
September 14, 2024

This is an intriguing album. It could have been titled “musicians in search of an identity." The album details Kevin Figes' history. His choice of pieces spells it out: Keith Tippett's work means so much to Figes. It is good to have a hero and to play his music; some of the long melodic lines and unisons are very effective. Tippett's “Echoes" is an example. This group of musicians is given space, embedded in the writing and arrangements. ...