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

Will Butterworth Trio

Monday 28 January

Despite the fact that this was a rather damp Monday night, the club's tables were all occupied for this (Music Chamber Records) CD-launching gig by yet another great UK piano prospect, Will Butterworth.

Beginning with a solo piece that drew more inspiration from contemporary European non-improvised sources than from, say, Earl Hines, or even Keith Jarrett, Butterworth's music ¯ as he continued to demonstrate even after he was joined by his trio ¯ relies for much of its considerable effect on the exploitation of space and subtle changes of rhythmic emphasis, so it was no surprise to hear him call Monk's 'Bemsha Swing' as his band's first number.

The piece's perkily eccentric, catchy theme lends itself beautifully to such an approach, and Butterworth explored all its many possible ambiguities of accent in an extended visit that relied on drummer Josh Morrison and bassist Marcus Penrose not allowing themselves to be distracted by their leader's increasingly adventurous playing with the time.

On Butterworth's own material, they proved equally dependable, providing solid but thoughtfully original support for his beguiling mix of spacy lyricism and carefully controlled discursiveness.

Intelligently balancing structure and freedom is half the battle in piano-trio music of this sort, and by pulling off this difficult feat, Butterworth and his rhythm section provided yet more positive evidence for those wishing to claim that there is currently a heartening resurgence of youthful talent and originality discernible in the contemporary UK jazz scene.

 

 

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