The Vortex Jazz Club, 11 Gillett Square, London N16 8JH | Bookings 020 7254 4097 | Enquiries 020 7993 3643 | Email Info at Vortex

January 2008
gig reviews

Jim Mullen's Organ Trio with Stan Sulzmann
Renato D'Aiello International Quintet
Trevor Watkis Quartet
Andy Sheppard and the New Quintet
David Torn's Prezens
Bourne, Davis, Kane
Matana Roberts
Eddie Parker's Mister Vertigo
John Taylor Trio
Kit Downes Trio
Phil Robson Quartet featuring Dave Liebman
Will Butterworth Trio
Richard Fairhurst Trio
Julie Sassoon/Lothar Ohlmeier

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January 2008 gig reviews by Chris Parker

Eddie Parker's Mister Vertigo

Saturday 19 January

As the celebrated band of which he was a founder member, Loose Tubes, used to do (with an announcement about their disapproval of nuclear weapons), Eddie Parker's Mister Vertigo generally 'centre thenselves' at the beginnings of their gigs with a visit to John Coltrane.

Peace and tranquillity thus established, they then begin to explore Parker's own compositions, which Í as in his Loose Tubes days Í are airy, relatively uncomplicated themes possessed of just enough melodic and rhythmic wrinkles to provide a succession of soloists with grist for their respective mills.

Longtime associate Julian Nicholas has one of the most attractive tenor sounds in the business, a warbling, meditative earnestness that suits Parker's music perfectly (his soprano, too, is always surefooted and pure-toned), pianist Pete Saberton is appropriately fluent and lyrical, and Í an intriguing dep for John Pariccelli, away on TV duties Í guitarist Phil Robson contributes a series of pungently absorbing solos to the mix.

With Parker himself always at the centre of things, whether vigorously soloing on his various flutes or adding texture via occasional keyboard touches, and the accomplished rhythm team of Mike Pickering (drums) and Steve Watts (electric bass) pushing things along, Parker's gigs provide, in many ways, definitive Vortex music: relaxed, informal yet unpretentiously musicianly, all presented with warmth and good humour.

 

 

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