Made in the UK – 2013
– Part Two (by kp)
Following hard on the heels of part one and posted (due to
overwhelming popular demand) right before closing time on this Friday afternoon is
the anxiously awaited second post for the Made in the UK series. Well maybe that’s overselling
it and might I possibly be just a wee bit (self) indulgent (probably), but nonetheless here it is. Ta da.
Seriously folks:
Enjoy the music and check the links
on these two great bands from the UK:
Julian Arguelles Quartet and Courtney Pine’s “House
of Legends”.
June 27th –
Performance Works – 1:30pm (2 sets, free)
Julian Arguelles Quartet
Going back to his early association with the Loose Tubes (a
band that miraculously played the festival in the 80’s - thanks Lazz), the seminal large ensemble led by
Django Bates, saxophonist Julian Arguelles has been in it for the long haul. Now living in Scotland, his credits list is long and includes work with some of the finest musicians, not only in th UK
but world-wide and a few notables would be the late Chris McGregor, Carla Bley,
John Scofield, Evan Parker, Archie Shepp, Dave Holland and Kenny Wheeler.
Particularly adept in the big band / large ensemble format,
Mr. Arguelles has served his various leaders well. Known to be a musician’s
musician, his contributions are always in the service of the music making any
band he’s in just sound that much better. Julian has gained the respect of his
peers at every stage of his development. I’m quite sure the first time I heard
him in a small group setting was with his brother (the drummer) Steve Arguelles
Quintet back in the early 90’s. Memorable gigs.
Julian has recorded two fairly recent discs for Portugal’s hip “Clean
Feed” label and feature Michael Formanek and Tom Rainey in fiery and
freewheeling trio outings that conjure up a very personal blend of Sonny
Rollins and Dewey Redman. In my books that’s a very good thing! Flying under
the radar in North America, Julian Arguelles is a monstrously talented
saxophonist, one of the best on the European scene so don’t miss this rare
opportunity to catch him at the festival.
The touring band (to Rochester, Vancouver and Ottawa) is a
quartet and includes one of Britain’s most important young pianists and leaders
in his own right, Kit Downes and the stellar rhythm section of Sam Lasserson
and James Maddren.
Listen to the quartet in London (video is a little dark but
the music is clear and burning): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOsdTyas5JQ
Festival info: http://www.coastaljazz.ca/artist/julian_arguelles_quartet
June 27 – Performance Works – 7:30pm
Courtney Pine
presents: HOUSE OF LEGENDS
The son of Jamaican parents Courtney Pine was brought up on calypso, ska and reggae and an early interest in jazz was fostered in workshops by the late John Stevens (a major figure on the UK jazz and improvised music scene) and then cemented when he heard Sonny Rollins seminal “Way Out West”.
It’s been over two decades since we first presented saxophonist Courtney Pine (when he first appeared on the scene) at Tom Lee Music Hall in Vancouver. His debut in 1987 “Journey to the Urge Within” took the UK jazz world by storm (selling 120,000 copies!) and numerous subsequent albums have not only added to his reputation in the UK but also opened some doors to his music in North America and helped establish his international reputation. His latest album House of Legends is a joyous re-visitation of his those early childhood roots.
Today Courtney Pine is among the most recognizable UK jazz names on the scene but still, he rarely makes it across the pond to tour. So this is something of a special event. His music is joyous and exhilarating and these days, he always seems to get audiences moving - his multi-cultural approach is all about a new dance impulse in jazz. And that's to be applauded.
It’s been over two decades since we first presented saxophonist Courtney Pine (when he first appeared on the scene) at Tom Lee Music Hall in Vancouver. His debut in 1987 “Journey to the Urge Within” took the UK jazz world by storm (selling 120,000 copies!) and numerous subsequent albums have not only added to his reputation in the UK but also opened some doors to his music in North America and helped establish his international reputation. His latest album House of Legends is a joyous re-visitation of his those early childhood roots.
Today Courtney Pine is among the most recognizable UK jazz names on the scene but still, he rarely makes it across the pond to tour. So this is something of a special event. His music is joyous and exhilarating and these days, he always seems to get audiences moving - his multi-cultural approach is all about a new dance impulse in jazz. And that's to be applauded.
Good read:
Courtney Pine Live Acustic (good clip) – this will give you a taste of what the band sounds like. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uxLSjfcFtI
Twitter: @CourtneyPine1
Festival Info: http://www.coastaljazz.ca/artist/courtney_pine_presents_house_legends
Thanks to British Council, Creative Scotland (Julian Arguelles) and the Made in the UK Team
Thanks to British Council, Creative Scotland (Julian Arguelles) and the Made in the UK Team
by: Ken Pickering / Artistic Director / TD VIJF
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