We should be counting down to EFG 2020. Checking out bookings for train, hotel and concerts and looking forward to all the trimmings that go with a visit to the festival. A pre-concert pint in a favourite pub, absorbing the excitement that always pre-empts a major festival. Meeting acquaintances old and new before settling into our seat awaiting the band.
This year, that has gone by the board as we go once more into lockdown although, as the previous post reveals, the concerts will be shown online.
No such situations prevailed in the old world as I'm reminded listening to a set by the Jeff Williams Quartet recorded during the 2018 festival at Pizza Express.
It's a belter for those who like their jazz to be near the cutting edge of things. Two pace-setting saxes driven along by one of today's most innovative drummers and held together by bassist Lasserson who ensures sanity prevails at all - well most - times. Without a piano the burden is well and truly on the bassman's shoulders.
Williams composed all the tracks and they proved to be ideal launching pads for the two horns. The veteran, former New Yorker, now London based, drummer is no shrinking violet behind the kit, putting in his own lines, seemingly going in a different direction to the others without upsetting the apple-cart. It's free without being frightening. Anyone who professes distaste for contemporary sounds ought to give this listen. For those already converted the (on)line starts on the left: Whirlwind Recordings. Available from Nov. 20.
Lance
New and Old; The Interloper; Borderline; Oddity; Under the Radar; Scrunge; Search Me; She Can't be a Spy; Double Life.
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