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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

Trevor Watkis Quartet

Friday 11 January

Featuring saxophonist Zem Audu (tenor and soprano), bassist Mark Hodgson and drummer Winston Clifford, Trevor Watkis's quartet fairly crackles with energy and musical vitality, and the band's extended visits to various items from the pianist's debut album, Straight Ahead ç Ride for Tone demonstrate just why the likes of the Evening Standard's Jack Massarik have so lavishly praised it (he calls Watkis a 'British pianist-composer of unusual warmth, touch and taste').

While not a zesty, rumbustious player determined to show off a prodigious technique at every opportunity, Watkis is none the less compelling in his solo excursions, favouring the discursive, slow-building mesmeric approach to improvisation, and in the young, Jazz Warrior-trained Audu he has a highly compatible front-line partner.

Clifford and Hodgson, too, are a bustlingly interactive, subtly muscular ê and occasionally downright explosive ê team, and Watkis's pleasantly nervy, restlessly probing themes suit the band well, clearly delighting a lively SRO audience containing not only Julian Joseph but also Watkis's singing brother, Cleveland. An enjoyable and thoroughly absorbing evening's music.

 

 

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