Corey Mwamba (vibes), Valentin Ceccaldi (cello), Andy Champion (double
bass) & Sylvain Darrifourcq (drums & electronics).
(Review by Russell).
(Review by Russell).
An Anglo - French collaboration,
a world premiere performance, one half of a double bill - this was quite an
occasion at the Bridge Hotel. The French component - cellist Valentin Ceccaldi
and genial drummer Sylvain Darrifourcq - arrived days earlier to meet up with a
Gateshead lad (bassist Andy Champion) and an
emerging figure in the vibes fraternity, all the way from the midlands, Corey
Mwamba. The getting-to know-you sessions promised much.
On the night the quartet delivered a set of considered, restrained pieces. Champion and Darrifourcq are known for leading high octane outfits - Q and ACV respectively - so it took time adjusting to a chamber music performance. Cellist Ceccaldi, the one member of the ensemble new to Tyneside, provided a highlight of the improvisations with a killer repeated figure (a few bars and it had gone). Mwamba adopted a subdued role, dazzling lines kept in check, so too the malleted Champion. Master percussionist Darrifourcq gave another master class, on this occasion incorporating the use of electronics. Dates in theUK and France are being finalised for
sometime in 2013.
On the night the quartet delivered a set of considered, restrained pieces. Champion and Darrifourcq are known for leading high octane outfits - Q and ACV respectively - so it took time adjusting to a chamber music performance. Cellist Ceccaldi, the one member of the ensemble new to Tyneside, provided a highlight of the improvisations with a killer repeated figure (a few bars and it had gone). Mwamba adopted a subdued role, dazzling lines kept in check, so too the malleted Champion. Master percussionist Darrifourcq gave another master class, on this occasion incorporating the use of electronics. Dates in the
Russell.
1 comment :
I've seen Andy Champion play the five-string fretless electric bass, tickle the body of the double bass with a broken string, complain about a passing train being out of tune with him, but I've never seen him going at his bass with mallets as described in the review. That must have been interesting. Did any of the strings remain intact at the end?
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