|
|
March 19th, 2006 by Paul Hayes (Permalink)
Label: EFZ / Short Fuse Year: 2006 Add Comments |
The trend of fame through association rarely contributes towards a worthy cause, often leading to mediocre musicianship carried on the wave of stardom; artists forever relying on another’s success to generate their own. One such jazz saxophonist was introduced to me as “the guy that played with legend Ray Charles,” indeed at the live performance this sentence was repeated several times over. The Dave O’ Higgins band is an exception to this trend—any brief prominence they may have attained in the hierarchical jazz world is rooted in groundbreaking musical talent.
From the outset Higgins proclaimed his band’s worth; Simon Lea on drums, Sam Burgess strumming bass, Tom Cawley on keyboards and himself on sax’. Throughout the evening the brinks of inspirational and innovative live jazz, of the traditional variety, were tested. Cawley furiously instigated a number of aggressive, fiery and all-out superb keyboard solos; indeed should his passionate enthusiasm be left without instrument he would surely self combust. Higgins’ makes the eloquent counterpart; offering a calming air of civility that underlines a smooth inviting tenure, creating perfect melodic refreshments to abutted violence. To provide a suitable metaphor—concoctions of mind-blowing off-the wall jives lure the listener deep under water, with each passing phrase the rising tempi is akin to depleting air. At the point of critical endurance, when death is imminent and the musical boundaries become questionable Higgins dramatically re-enters, offering an effortless resurfacing not subject to the bends.
Through covers, new spins on old themes, unscripted improv’ and calculated written works this quartet, and indeed Dave O’Higgins’ knows no bounds. He is undoubtedly of world class and his British talent is of suitable calibre to confront the thriving American scene. The ear-to-ear smile I proudly wore after-show now dictates my revived enthusiasm for adventurous jazz, though I fear it will be a while before anything surpasses the high bar already set.
Upcoming April performances:
- 08 :: Huddersfield w/Steve Waterman’s Benny Golson Band
West Country tour with Ian Turner Trio:
- 09 :: Lynton, Sandrock Hotel
- 10 :: Appledore, Beaver Inn
- 11 :: St Ives, Weston Hotel
- 12 :: Bridport
- 13 :: Dorking w/ Steve Waterman’s Benny Golson Band
- 15 :: Lincoln w/ Steve Waterman’s Benny Golson Band
- 16 :: South of France w/Nick Meier Group tbc
- 26 :: Leicester w/ Steve Waterman’s Benny Golson Band
- 27 :: Southend w/ Steve Waterman’s Benny Golson Band
- 30 :: Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Subtone Club 12-3 w/British Heavyweights
Links:
- Dave O’Higgins Official Website
- Purchase CDs through “Jazz in Scotland” (or alternatively Amazon.co.uk has a limited stock)
