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JJ 10/64: Bill Le Sage – New Directions In Jazz

If you listen to jazz publicists you might be persuaded that the nominal boundaries between jazz and classical are only now being breached. But 60 years ago Mark Gardner heard Bill Le Sage effectively blending 12-tone composition, cellos and jazz soloists. First published in Jazz Journal October 1964

Nobody can accuse British jazz musicians of being unadventurous. And an unbiased listen to this recording by Bill Le Sage’s Directions In Jazz Unit reveals that suc­cessful jazz can happen anywhere. In this case it happened in London last April.

Eighteen months prior to the date, the talented Le Sage was commissioned to write some different-sounding arrange­ments for a BBC broadcast. He decided to present jazz soloists playing alongside a classical cello section. The idea appealed to both sets of musicians, who have appeared together several times since. This album preserves a good cross-section of the Unit’s repertoire. After so many insipid jazz and strings attempts, here is one that really comes off, due in no small measure to the quar­tet of superb cellists, led by Freddie Alexander. They possess a great flexibility which the bulk of the studio string sec­tions lack.

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With the exceptions of Milestones and New Orleans, the compositions are orig­inals penned by Le Sage, Johnny Scott, Ronnie Ross and Spike Heatley. I partic­ularly enjoyed Ross’s melodic Rustic Gait and the leader’s tribute to Thelonious, Monkey Business. But Johnny Scott’s 12-tone work Morning Theories is the most advanced piece of writing. Solo honours are divided between baritonist Ross, reedmen Scott and Bob Burns, who double alto with flute and clarinet respectively, and Le Sage, who performs tastefully on vibes and piano. When these men are improvising they seem to be inspired by the unison com­ments of the cellos.

There is nothing way out or pretentious about D.I.J.U., a group in which a high standard of musicianship prevails. Give this a spin – you are in for a surprise.

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Discography
Night Talk; Morning Theories; Lady Day; Honky Tonk; Caber Dance (19½ min) – Milestones; Monkey Business; New Orleans; Times 2½; Rustic Gait (21½ min)
Johnny Scott (alt, fit); Bob Burns (alt, clt); Ronnie Ross (bari); Freddie Alexander, Maurice Westerby, Francis Gabarro, William De Mont (cellos); Bill Le Sage (p, vbs); Spike Heatley (bs); Tony Carr (d). London, 29/4/64. Phillips BL 7625 12inLP 33s. 1d.

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