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April 2008
gig reviews

Seb Pipe's Life Experience
Trio VD / Final Terror
The Frank Griffith Nonet
Matthew Shipp Trio
Paolo Angeli, Evan Parker
Barbez
Christine Tobin
The Zig Quartet

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April 2008 gig reviews by Chris Parker

The Frank Griffith Nonet

Thursday 17 April

Before counting his nonet into Freddie Hubbard's 'Little Sunflower', Frank Griffith commented, 'This one plays itself', and such ease and assurance characterised a performance that saw the band Æ which included searing alto player Bob Martin, and trumpeters Henry Lowther and Robbie Robson alongside Griffith's tenor and clarinet in the front line Æ move uncontrivedly between the discreetly funky rock-laced rhythms of 'Get Carter/Ode to Bille Joe' and the out and out flagwaving swing of the Basie staple 'Jumpin' at the Woodside'.

In between these musical poles, they applied their musicianly but rousing skills to in-band originals, material by latterday Basie-band leader Frank Foster and an elegant reading of Cole Porter's 'I've Got You under My Skin', but whatever they addressed, the result was poised, polished and beautifully balanced, judiciously enlivened by punchy solos (Lowther's on 'Little Sunflower' a particular highlight) and whip-smart ensemble work.

Aided by the fact that they were playing to a very respectably sized and enthusiastic audience, the nonet (perhaps an under-used jazz format, given its facility Æ skilfully exploited by Griffith Æ for switching between large and small group modes) turned in an unequivocally enjoyable performance, unassumingly but amusingly presented by the personable composer/arranger.

 

 

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