Review: Ravi Coltrane Quartet in Leeds

It's been a strong week for international jazz in Leeds; Ravi Coltrane Quartet on Wednesday, Arve Henriksen on Thursday and Phil Donkin's quartet featuring Glen Zaleski and Colin Stranahan on Friday. People were out in force for Ravi on Wednesday, where he played to a full house at the Howard Assembly Room in Leeds.

From the first note to the last, this gig was exceptional. Opening with Ornette Coleman's Bird Food, drummer Jonathan Blake and bassist Dezron Douglas switched from broken, free playing to the type of swing that we all long to hear but seldom do. Pianist David Virelles opened the second piece ('Marilyn & Tammy' from Ravi's latest album Spirit Fiction) with a solo intro, his searching and thoughtful improvisation ringing throughout the hall. Pianists tend to get a rough deal in that room, which isn't particularly well suited to jazz gigs (especially those with drums or an amplified double bass) but it didn't seem to hamper Virelles one bit. His solos employ chords, clusters and textural playing as often as single lines so there was no danger of being drowned out by the acoustics.

Switching from tenor to soprano (and on one occasion, playing Strayhorn's Lush Life, sopranino), Ravi Coltrane continually confirmed why he is regarded so highly as an improviser. Every solo was had its own identity, strong and creative. His rich, warm tenor sound filled the hall as he played his ballad, 'The Change, My Girl' and his interaction with drummer Jonathan Blake on 'Quilly's Blade' was frenetic and exciting.

The two sets were very well put together, showcasing the many sides and sounds of the band. Ravi included a composition of Blake's, Homeward Bound to close the first set and gave Blake the opportunity to let loose. They make a very strong team, Douglas and Blake, as in fact do the band as a whole. Ending on Lush Life, it seemed clear that the band had an encore up their sleeves and they did not disappoint with a hugely energetic Countdown, with metric twists and turns throughout.

The fact that he is John Coltrane's son is incidental. Ravi Coltrane is a virtuoso and an important voice in jazz all of his own accord; as indeed are his three band-mates.

Album Review: Jesse Bannister's 'Play Out'

Jesse Bannister: Alto Saxophone, Zoe Rahman: Piano, Kenny Higgins: Bass Guitar, Seb Rochford: Drums

The incorporation of Indian music into jazz is something I am often skeptical of. Although it is certainly not a new phenomenon on the British scene, dating back to the 1960s work of the British avant-garde such as Jamaican born saxophonist Joe Harriott, in recent years I feel it has sometimes been too easy to add some odd time signatures and a tabla player to a record and call the music 'indo-jazz'.

This is not the case with 'Play Out', the new album from alto saxophonist Jesse Bannister. Jesse's deep understanding of and respect for the traditions of Indian classical music run deep through the album, and the music is delivered with such skill and taste that there is not the slightest hint of gimmickry to the indo-jazz fusion presented here. 'Play Out' makes it clear why Jesse has earned the reputation of being the UK's leading Indian/Indo-Jazz saxophonist.

Album Review: Pete Lyons LX:V

Pete Lyons – LX suite – LX:V – the quintet

Personnel:

Pete Lyons (tenor sax)

John Hulme (trumpet/flugelhorn)

Dan Whieldon (piano)

Gavin Barras (double bass)

Johnny Hunter (drums)

Saxophonist Pete Lyons has been an integral part of the Sheffield jazz scene for many years, both as a player performing regularly and as a part of the long-established Sheffield Jazz Workshop. To mark his 60^th birthday, Lyons composed the LX suite; 19 compositions to be played by a quintet of Manchester-based musicians plus a Sheffield duo and septet. The three strands of this ambitious project were called LX:V, LX:II and LX:VII and were premiered at Sheffield Millennium Hall in April of last year. LX:V for quintet was the first of the groups to be recorded and released as an album.

Review: Dave Douglas & Uri Caine in Leeds

                                Dave Douglas & Uri Caine (photo: Kim Macari)

LondonJazzNews invited NJN editor Kim Macari to review last night's Dave Douglas/Uri Caine duo gig at Howard Assembly Room in Leeds. 

Read the full review here.

Led Bib - The People In Your Neighbourhood

NorthernJazzNews' writer Ben Powling wrote a review of Led Bib's latest album, The People In Your Neighbourhood for LondonJazzNews.


On the 10th anniversary of their incarnation, jazz/rock trailblazers Leb Bib are back with their fifth studio album The People In Your Neighbourhood, the result of a successful crowdfunding campaign. Led Bib have not been particularly visible on the scene or in the jazz press in the time since their 2009 Mercury nomination for their fourth album Sensible Shoes, but this new release may change that.

Read the full review here.

The Spring Quartet and Herskedal/Neset at Gateshead International Jazz Festival, 05/04/14

On the Saturday night of this year’s Gateshead International Jazz Festival was the performance by The Spring Quartet; a concert that was regarded by many to be the headline attraction of the weekend. This ensemble is something of a supergroup, featuring the stellar line-up of Joe Lovano, Esperanza Spalding and Leo Genovese under the leadership of the legendary Jack DeJohnette, and their photographs could be seen on posters, leaflets and programmes throughout the festival, further increasing the hype and excitement gathering around this performance.