rhythmaning | Recent Jazz #2: Evan Parker and Co at the Vortex

Back in January, the Vortex had a week of gigs curated by saxophonist Evan Parker. I went to three of them – almost by mistake, since I had expected at least one of the nights to be booked out, but it wasn’t and I couldn’t make my mind up which to skip!

First up was the Alex Hawkins Sextex. I saw pianist Hawkins play with Louis Moholo-Moholo back in the London Jazz Festival, and thought I’d check out his band. This was interesting because I had no idea what kind of music he’d be playing at all. It turned out he featured Orphy Robinson, one of my favourite musicians, and guitarist Otto Fischer, who I’d seen playing with Robinson at LJF in a very free band.

Hawkins’ music was on the freer side of jazz – but a lot of it was clearly written down. This was a fascinating gig – very open, with lots of space. Hawkins played some great solos, and Robinson was great on vibes. I am not sure quite what the cello added to the mix, but the whole was excellent.

I really enjoyed this gig – it was unexpected, different; what jazz should be about.

The next night I caught Django Bates and Evan Parker playing together, with Bates’ Beloved Bird trio. After the previous evening’s excitement, this one left me cold. Maybe I was just too tired, but it really didn’t work for me. I had been expecting an exploration of Charlie Parker – with namesake Evan on sax – but the first set comprised a lot of rather cold improvisation. Some of Bates’ piano work was gorgeous – there was one really powerful slow number – but I found it hard to get into. I left at the interval, surprised at my reaction – I had expected to enjoy it (why else was I there?). (I learned afterwards that Bates had saved the Bird-stuff for the second set. This seems incomprehensible to me: why save the more accessible numbers, the pieces people are most likely to know, for late in the evening? Anyhow, my decision to leave early meant I missed the bit I’d probably have enjoyed most…)

The last night of Evan Parker’s mini-festival featured Stan Tracey and his son Clark in a series of duos and trios. As challenging as Bates’ improvisations, this gig just worked a lot better for me. Stan is a great pianist, Clark an excellent drummer, and they have had many years to get to know each other… The first duet, between Stan and Clark, was magical and exciting; the second, with Stan and Parker, soared – the interplay between two of Britain’s best improvisers was gripping; and the trio, with all three, was great.