The Write Stuff

: Write Stuff; 27 November 2007

Bill Bruford and Michiel Borstlap - Purcell Room, Saturday 24 Nov - London Jazz Festival

It’s a rare occasion when you can go to a concert and have as little clue about what you’re going to hear as the musicians do. This was the unusual situation for former Yes and King Crimson legend Bill Bruford, and Dutch improviser Michiel Borstlap in their concert-length improvisation session in the Purcell Room. Borstlap instantaneously composed the melody on piano and keyboard, while Bruford provided extensive percussive accompaniment on a myriad of drums, bells, cymbals and gongs; many of which were suspended from a huge frame behind him.

: Write Stuff; 27 November 2007

Portico Quartet, Three Trapped Tigers, Gannets Tuesday 20 Nov - London Jazz Festival

It’ s not often that you get a chance to see three of the most exciting new bands in British jazz on one bill, so it came as no surprise last night when an exuberant audience packed into the sold out Vortex jazz club. Opening the night were the explorative free-jazz group Gannets. A definite emphasis on humour prevented their riotous sound from taking itself too seriously, a lot like the Art Ensemble of Chicago after a hefty shot of adrenaline.

: Write Stuff; 26 November 2007

Fraud - Vortex, 21 Nov - London Jazz Festival

Memorably described (by the Jazzwise editor, Jon Newey) as the jazz equivalent of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Fraud’s not inconsiderable reputation seems to rest largely on the fact that they make a hell of a lot of noise. And, with frequently distorted electric guitar and two drummers – not mere percussionists, but each with a full trap kit – there’s little doubt that when they go, they really go. They prove as much on multiple occasions in this LJF performance, remaining quintet members on keyboards and tenor sax joining that trio for a ferocious, hell-raising blast of near-primal intensi

: Write Stuff; 26 November 2007

Joshua Redman - QEH, Thursday 22 Nov - London Jazz Festival

The genre of the sax-bass-drums jazz trio is dogged with constant comparisons to Sonny Rollins’s landmark recordings, so it took someone with the charisma and sheer musical talent of Joshua Redman to transcend these comparisons. Indeed, given a Mohawk and dark sunglasses, Redman could pass for Rollins in his prime.

: Write Stuff; 26 November 2007

Acoustic Ladyland, Fulborn Teversham, Luke Barlow Band - Luminaire, 22 Nov - London Jazz Festival

Luke Barlow’s quartet, led from the keyboard, play something like a cross between Django Bates and Frank Zappa: manic, tight compositions, sudden rhythmic shifts and shredder guitar solos. They lack the finesse of either Zappa or Bates, but they pack a good punch, and keep the listener on their toes. It was bit much for some: I had to put up with the Thought Police standing behind me all the way through, telling his friends why it was wrong to enjoy this sort of thing (they did, from what I could tell); Acoustic Ladyland are obviously not attracting a conventional jazz audience.

Bill Bruford and Michiel Borstlap - Purcell Room, Saturday 24 Nov - London Jazz Festival

Portico Quartet, Three Trapped Tigers, Gannets Tuesday 20 Nov - London Jazz Festival

Fraud - Vortex, 21 Nov - London Jazz Festival

Joshua Redman - QEH, Thursday 22 Nov - London Jazz Festival

Acoustic Ladyland, Fulborn Teversham, Luke Barlow Band - Luminaire, 22 Nov - London Jazz Festival

The Write Stuff

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