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| (© Ken Drew) |
Dee Byrne
(alto sax); Nick Malcolm (trumpet); Rebecca Nash (piano); Tom Ward
(clarinets); Olie Brice (double bass); Andrew Lisle (drums)
A brief introduction: ‘Outlines’ is Dee Byrne’s new project, with a six-piece ensemble playing original compositions that evolved out of her ACE-funded project ‘Developing Your Creative Practice’. Using small visual art sketches as a complementary creative channel, she experimented with composing short musical sketches that stood alone as artistic statements, thus adding visual art into her compositional process. These short statements are ‘Outlines’ – which act as a springboard for this dynamic six-piece ensemble, allowing them to go in new and exciting directions every time.
The upstairs room at The Globe (The Jazz Bar) was filled with a keen and attentive audience, who were delighted with the portrayal of these sketches. And so the band did indeed take us through some interesting settings and varied styles, with many solos provided by each member – none too short or too long, but nicely fitting in amongst the sketch in question, often becoming a tour de force with the full sextet engaged. The use of changing rhythms and/or time signatures kept everyone on their toes (for the seated audience it certainly kept their attention!) and it looked ‘fun’ to play (no lack of concentration to be seen) but the overall results were both exciting and refreshing.
Having recently recorded their new CD the band hit the road for a five venue tour, that started at Cambridge (Sat), the Globe (Sun) then on to Leeds, Sheffield and Bristol. Their debut CD is due for release this June on Whirlwind Recordings, and having seen and heard the band and their music I can’t wait to hear the CD, and I’d quite like to see them again too!
What a memorable evening of fresh-sounding and inspiring contemporary jazz. Ken Drew
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