Nick Malcolm (trumpet) & Roger Turner (percussion)
(Review by
Russell/Photo courtesy of Ken Drew.)
Late last year Jazz North East
secured a return visit in 2014 by American free jazz trumpeter Roy Campbell to
perform in a duo with British drummer Roger Turner. In January Campbell died at the age of sixty one. The
Tyneside promoters had a decision to make – scrap the date altogether or
attempt to stage something in memory of the man. An invitation extended to
young British trumpeter Nick Malcolm was readily accepted and the pairing of
Malcolm and Roger Turner would, it was hoped, be a fitting tribute to Roy
Campbell.
Drummer Roger Turner had played
on Tyneside on many occasions, his pedigree not in doubt. Nick Malcolm was
known to the select few who had heard him a little over a year ago leading his
own quartet at the Bridge Hotel. A fabulous player, would those unaware of his
abilities turn out to hear him on this auspicious occasion? In the event, most
stayed away. They missed a great performance by Malcolm and nothing short of a
master class from Turner. A brass player suffering from a heavy cold doesn’t
bode well, the more so in the exposed duo format. Fearless, if nothing else,
Nick Malcolm went for it. Roger Turner didn’t make allowances for his ailing
partner – play up, play on.
The nature of free jazz found
Malcolm working hard for forty five minutes, the only respite came as Turner
played unaccompanied for a period. Malcolm didn’t shirk but he did cough and
splutter, guttural gestures triggering a coughing fit, similarly, full on
blowing leaving him gasping for breath. Turner’s technique, honed over the
years, is an audio-visual treat. Great sound, great feel, watching him do it is
an education. Drummers were thin on the ground, perhaps they were gigging, perhaps
not. If in the latter category then they should have been at the Bridge.
The second set proved to be a
shorter affair; one piece, ending as it did with neither musician having
anything further to say. Such is the form, there is no set list, no preconceptions,
simply start playing then cease playing. A really good gig for those interested
in the music. Roy Campbell would surely have approved.
Russell. 
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