Bassist, Chris Laurence (and long time collaborator of Kenny Wheeler) recorded three Wheeler compositions in 2020 six years after Wheeler’s death in 2014. Some Gnu Ones was released in 2021 by the newly formed Jazz In Britain label and is available on CD, digital and vinyl.
These three tracks vary in instrumentation, intention and length. The longest of which (15 minutes) Piece for Double Bass and Low Strings has a string quartet joined by Frank Ricotti’s vibes, John Parricelli’s guitar and Martin France’s drums. The gloriously flowing first movement is followed by a livelier second movement with France’s atmospheric percussion augmenting the uplifting vibes and strings. The piece closes on a slower and more melancholic note with its mesmerising theme.
Wheeler’s C-Man was originally recorded on
Wheeler’s 1992 Kayak CD with the
forces of an octet. Now whittled down to a quartet the vibes and guitar engage
in spirited interactions that raise the bar in exploring the improvisational
possibilities herein. Similarly, Tom
Walsh’s lyrical flugelhorn comes to the fore fully immersed amongst the strings
and Laurence’s arco bass on Baroque Piece.
One senses a slight flamenco climate in the harmonic scheme of the solo section
while sustaining its “Wheeleresque” quality encouraging a richly melodic canvas
for the soloist to improvise upon.
Special kudos and mention
also to pianist/arranger Pete Churchill for completing and making sense of the third
movement of Piece for Double Bass and Low
Strings as the first draft submitted appeared to be incomplete. Pete writes:
Daunting as the task may have seemed, it
was made easier because the fragments Ken had left were so fertile. It became
clear that the best approach was to let these sketches develop the way they
wanted to go - if I could just get myself out of the way the music would
complete itself. At times the process was almost mystical.
Good on Jazz In Britain for issuing these classic and groundbreaking recordings of British Jazz. I look forward to many more. Frank Griffith
(1) Piece For Double Bass And Low Strings; (2)
C-Man; (3) Baroque Piece (27.41)
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