Harry Keeble Quartet @ The Gala Theatre, Durham - Sept. 23

(© B. Ebbatson)

Harry Keeble (tenor sax); Mark Williams (guitar); Andy Champion (bass); Abbie Finn (drums)

By way of a preview of the music to be heard on a forthcoming album, the Harry Keeble Quartet presented a 'play-through' to the Gala Theatre's lunchtime audience. Keeble indicated he would prefer to let the music speak for itself and keep the talking to a minimum. And with that Keeble counted them in. Mark Williams sported a Telecaster, Andy Champion a five-string bass, Abbie Finn her familiar custom-made kit. 

Tenor saxophonist Keeble opted to stand alongside his band mates rather than be the out-and-out frontman - a shy, retiring type is Keeble! The formation could also be considered a democratic gesture, Keeble the composer keen to share his music with fellow musicians (and audience). Earliest Epoch and other titles meant something to their composer, to others, perhaps not. Keeble informed the audience that rehearsals had been productive and, judging by the amount of sheet music on show, the dots required a degree of concentration! 

On first hearing, Keeble's compositions take the form of several contrasting sections, some requiring a series of swift handbrake turns. Thankfully Williams, Champion and Finn were well up to the task. Listening to new music for the first time demands one's full attention. A second and third hearing will reveal more - its form, thematic development and a better grasp of its undoubted subtleties. An album launch gig is to be announced.  

Set list: Earliest Epoch; Stelliferous; Dwindling; The Long Wait; Empty Eternity; Ginnungagap*

*Ginnungagap is from the Abbie Finn Trio's Northern Perspective album.  Russell