Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Evan Parker / Wes Neal / Joe Sorbara: At Somewhere There
Evan Parker / Wes Neal / Joe Sorbara: At Somewhere There
This trio's rhythm is supplanted by energy, animation, and a certain verve; but then, Parker has been at this for many years. Beginning with late-1960s noisy free jazz, he has developed his own language of saxophone virtuosity that includes circular breathing and extended techniques, all creating a new vocabulary for the horn. His many interests include electro-acoustic ensembles, large formats, solo performances, and small group interactions, such as this performance.
Playing with Toronto bassist Wes Neal and drummer Joe Sorbara for the first time in this live setting is no obstacle to Parker's music-making. Certainly, the pair must have been familiar with Parker's classic trio performances with bassist Barry Guy and drummer Paul Lytton, because they connect from the very first cymbal strike.
The set meanders with a purpose, Parker squeezing out his patented saxophone drizzles and dribbles with nary a hint of mutiny or belligerence. Each player is self-assigned to his role: Neal applies both fingers and bow to continually maintain the room's energy; likewise, Sorbara is adept at all things percussive. Not so much to keep time, because the pulse comes not from the beat but the rattle and hum of the trio's treatment.
At Somewhere There is one long piece, the continuance parts evidence of this mushrooming relationship. Parker's sustained and wandering horn provides the launching pad for various interactions with his partners—scraped cymbals giving way to tapping bows, or the repeated bell-striking converging with energetic arco waves—all flowing constantly as a reinvigorating sound.
This is one brief yet nearly perfect recording.
Track Listing
At Somewhere There.
Personnel
Evan Parker
saxophone, sopranoEvan Parker: tenor saxophone; Joe Sorbara: drums, percussion; Wes Neal: bass.
Album information
Title: At Somewhere There | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: Barnyard Records
About Evan Parker
Tags
PREVIOUS / NEXT
Evan Parker Concerts
Become a Sustaining Member
Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.
Help Build the Future of All About Jazz
Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.
Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.
Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.
