Vasilis Xenopoulos (tenor &
soprano saxophones); Paul Edis (piano); Ken Marley (double bass); Russ Morgan
(drums)
(Review by Russell/Photos courtesy of Roly Veitch).
A third gig in as many days for the
man from west London as Vasilis Xenopoulos concluded his north east mini tour
with an afternoon concert at Blaydon Jazz Club. The Black Bull's south facing
lounge attracts the sun and on this Sunday afternoon curtains were drawn to
block out a blinding light. Our welcome visitor has a new album - Dexterity
- to promote and chose to open the set with the CD's sole Xenopoulos
composition.
Dexterology in concert is best
described as one part Dexter Gordon, one part Vasilis Xenopoulos, one part
sackful of quotes. A quick-witted member of the audience could, perhaps,
attempt to write down the titles but the torrent of oh-so-fleeting quotes all
but overwhelms the listener - better to sit back and enjoy the brilliance, one
could say, the dexterity of it all. It was quite a start.
A wonderful bluesy
opening to Hanky
Panky with Xenopoulos on tenor set up Ken Marley to deliver the first
of several mature, extended solos - just as the Manchester based bassist had
done in Darlington and Crook on Friday and Saturday respectively. Our
bandleader is renowned for blowing some seriously good tenor and he also
possesses a ready wit. In teasing Paul Edis about being allocated the task of
delivering a convincing shout of Soy
Califa, he suggested a 'take two' to which our pianist nailed it with Soy
Califa, Hinny! And off they went - Xenopoulos on soprano conjuring a
Moorish-ish feel, similarly drummer Russ Morgan with brushes, sticks and hands.
Fantastic!
Society Red with its two-head
structure appeals to Xenopoulos and Blaydon Jazz Club's regulars were treated
to chorus after glorious chorus from an inspired musician in full flow.
Likewise Edis, superb, two-handed piano playing (Blue Monk was in
there), ideas tumbling. Later, one observer commented: Paul never plays
the same thing twice. A compliment, indeed.
Tadd Dameron's ballad If You
Could See Me Now took it down with yet more masterful playing. The
interval, the consensus - wonderful.
Charlie Chapiln's Smile (heard
for the first time on this visit) opened the second set. Xenopoulos was clearly
enjoying himself playing with panache and 'old school' swagger. Two tunes back
to back focussing on Dexter Gordon's time in Sweden - Tivoli (Marley
soloing) and Montmartre - maintained the highest of standards
and Second Balcony Jump provided further evidence of the swash
and buckle which marks out Xenopoulos as one of the finest saxophonists of
his generation.
A bolero ballad - I'm a Fool
to Want You - enticed a couple to take to the Black Bull's imaginary
dance floor. Magically, Edis quoted from The Godfather. It was as
if Don Corleone had taken out a contract - on whom and for what reason will
forever remain shrouded in mystery...
It was time to go but not before
Xenopoulos called Scrapple from the Apple. How do you think this
one went? It went whoosh! It had been a fabulous afternoon of jazz.
As and when Vasilis Xenopoulos returns - day or night - it's a dead cert it'll
be yet another memorable occasion.
As a postscript Greek born Xenopoulos
revealed that as a young man he performed at Copenhagen's Jazzhus Montmartre
jazz club as a member of the European Youth Jazz Orchestra. Two great
saxophonists, generations apart, stood on the same stage. How good is
that?!
Russell
1 comment :
An evocative and colourful extended review here, from Russell - but I must point out that Copenhagen, of the Tivoli Gardens and Monmartre Jazz Club fame, is in Denmark, not Sweden.
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