Alexander Hawkins (piano)
Evan Parker (saxophone); Alexander
Hawkins (piano); John Pope (bass); Paul Hession (drums)
(Review by Steve H/Photos courtesy of Ken Drew)
The final session
of what had so far been a spellbinding festival concluded, not as advertised
with The Julie Kjaer Trio - who sadly had to cancel through illness - but with a
newly formed quartet featuring national jazz treasure Evan Parker, Alexander
Hawkins, Paul Hession and, making his third appearance of the festival,
Newcastle’s very own John Pope. What a fitting finale this proved to be and
this pick up band picked up immediately and produced a marvellous if not
somewhat short set of improvised jazz.
The last time I saw
Evan Parker was when he played solo at the GIJF a couple of years ago but I
enjoyed his playing in this ensemble far more. Hession’s drumming was excellent
and festival stalwart Pope seemed to fit in perfectly. Who would have thought
this band had never played together before?
Hawkins on piano illuminated throughout, especially enjoyable
since I’d already been wowed by him when he opened the evening’s proceeding
with a virtuoso solo performance. For about an hour we were treated to a
sublime exhibition of creativity and technical expertise on the Lit and Phil’s
rather excellent grand piano. The ideas ebbed and flowed as wave after wave of
intricate, yet always accessible, musical stardust emerged from the keyboard -
brilliant stuff.
At the end of the
night it seemed fitting that John Pope should say a few words (after all not
only did he play in the very first gig of the festival and also the very last
but also played in the middle of the festival and even when he wasn’t playing
seemed to be present at every gig. In fact rumour has it that next year the
event will be renamed The Newcastle Jazz, Improvised and Pope Festival). I’m
sure everyone agreed with John when he thanked and congratulated festival
organiser Wes Stephenson for his supreme efforts in promoting and organising
such a fabulous event.
Eighteen different
combinations from all over the world playing an awe inspiring range of
improvised music in eight different city locations to virtually capacity
audiences - what an astonishing achievement! He may not be able to
organise a ‘festival in a brewery’ but he certainly managed to stage an event
that deserves to feature as a jewel in the national festival calendar.
The city of Newcastle should be very grateful to him and might I suggest
that he be rewarded by being made a ‘Free Jazzman of the City’?
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