Sam Norris: Small Things Evolved Slowly

The title of Sam Norris' debut album, Small Things Evolved Slowly, is sourced from an Erik Satie quote: "I took to my room and let small things evolve slowly." It is an apt title, as the album features compositions inspired by Norris' life in London that have been honed and polished in live performances over considerable time, in some cases over several years. In addition, many of the tracks advance in an unhurried manner, taking their time to open up.

Norris is an alto saxophonist, composer and leader of the Sam Norris Quartet. They can frequently be found on the London jazz circuit. He is also involved in multiple UK and European projects. Outside of jazz, Norris' influences extend to hip-hop, folk and classical music; this gives his compositions some unusual twists and adds exploratory flair to his improvisational approach. The quartet consists of pianist Jay Verma, bassist Will Sach (heard to great effect on the Jonny Mansfield Quartet's spring 2024 album, Live At Pizza Express album), and drummer Harry Ling (a.k.a. Mackwood). One of Norris' projects is the band Planck Walker which also features Verma and Ling. This all adds to the musical unity on display here.

The album opens with "The Fulcrum." Norris' insistent sax motif gradually uncoils into searching improvisation over Ling's bustling groove. Verma's piano solo takes the same path before completing the circle back to the sax motif. The distinctive tone of Norris' unaccompanied alto opens "The Bright Winding Path," and bass and piano shadow his introspective mood in this dedication to Canadian painter Matthew Wong. "Glacial" also opens with an unaccompanied, breathy alto. As would be expected from the track title, the pace is slow. Sach's bass comes to the fore before Verma moves into a delightful solo. The track has a vintage atmosphere, with Norris showing delicacy and poise.

The fast-moving "Azazello" brings a contrast with inventive flurries and combinations from Sach and Ling. Verma and Norris swop spiky surges. The standout track is the perfectly titled "Un-ravel." Introduced by Verma's charming solo piano, the tune has an unruly shape, neatly mapped by Sach and Ling, with bright and inventive piano and sax solos. Verma's bluesy piano is the highlight of "Dark Satellites." Norris brings an insistent sax ostinato and Ling is in top form. Melancholy sax phrases open "Lamentation" before moving through Sach's bass solo and searching solos from Norris and Verma.

Another Satie quote states that "The musician is perhaps the most modest of animals, but he is also the proudest." Norris can be justifiably proud of his debut release, it showcases his compositional strengths, playing technique and improvisational elegance. He also knows when to stay in the background and let the ensemble add value. Their combined chamber music approach, imaginative grooves, and harmonic invention have woven a captivating musical landscape and built a solid foundation for future directions.

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