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October 2007
gig reviews

Outhouse
Christine Tobin
Francois Theberge/Hans Koller Quartet
Mark Feldman Group
Mike Chillingworth Quartet
Andrea Vicari
Georgia Mancio
Lucien Dubois Crossover Trio
Centre Line
Mike Gibbs 70th birthday concert

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October 2007 gig reviews by Chris Parker

Francois Theberge/Hans Koller
New Quartet

Wednesday 24 October

Hans Koller, as will be readily acknowledged by anyone who recently witnessed him inserting the subtlest of solos into the big-band compositions of Mike Gibbs (present in the audience on this occasion), is simply one of the UK scene's most individual voices, both as a composer and pianist, and his band with French tenor player Francois Theberge promiscuously utilised both skills.

Koller's mellifluous yet oddly nervy pieces frequently slide into collective rubato musings before coalescing again into more structured playing, and his own thoughtful lyricism and Theberge's warbling, slightly throaty but consistently cogent tenor were perfectly suited both to them and to each other, the whole faultlessly and firmly propelled by the pleasantly restless drums of Jeff Williams and the eloquent bass of Percy Pursglove.

Literary references (one piece, 'The Storm', was inspired by the Russian poet Osip Mandelstam), the odd programmatic composition with its roots in a dance commission, and dedications to band members ('Blues for JW') informed the band's absorbing sets, but whatever they played, the quartet addressed with musicianly intensity and the ease that comes from confidence both in the quality of the compositions and the skill of their fellow practitioners – a thoroughly enjoyable evening's music from four musicians at the top of their game.

 

 

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