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213 articles

Fred Grand

Having been introduced to jazz from an early age by my late father, the music has been central to my life for close to 50 years. After undergoing a genuine moment of epiphany in the late 80s at a blazing gig by David Murray while studying in the Midlands, I developed a strong bias towards the avant-garde and set out on a path that subsequently led me towards concert promotion, a failed attempt as a gigging musician, and ultimately to music criticism. After completing my studies I returned to my native North East in 1991, eager to follow my calling. Co-opted onto the committee of Britain’s oldest grant funded promoter, Jazz North East, I worked alongside the late Chris Yates for almost a decade. With his considerable forbearance we brought many exciting acts to Tyneside. Derek Bailey, Peter Brötzmann, Ken Vandermark, Jemeel Moondoc and John Fahey all passed through. I also co-founded no-fi, an organisation that showcased an eclectic range of left-field musics including jazz, improvised music, post-rock, electronica and beyond. There were many special nights in the company of such luminaries as Sunny Murray, Squarepusher, To Rococo Rot and the Chicago Underground Duo - the latter even slept on my lounge floor to cut back on overheads. My short-lived musical career as the skronking tenor saxophonist with avant Afro-beat ensemble Erratica didn't set the world alight, but some still recall the sax-drums assault of Erratica splinter-group Mr Warthog with fondness. Eventually settling for the more sedate life of a critic, good friend Brian Marley (The Wire) got me a break as a contributor to underground fanzine Rubberneck in around 1997. Next came Trevor Taylor’s Avant, and after an introduction to Richard Cook’s Jazz Review by fellow JJ contributor Andy Hamilton I eventually found my way here. My current tastes are far broader than in the 90s, but I have a special bias towards contemporary European jazz. Most importantly, I still get excited every time a new batch of review discs lands on my doormat...

Reviewed: Benjamin Boone | Krokofant | Prepared | Tuomo & Markus with Verneri Pohjola

Benjamin Boone: Confluence - The Ireland Sessions (Origin Records 82904) American saxophonist, composer and educator Benjamin Boone is a virtuoso performer equally at home in...

Reviewed: Inge Weatherhead Breistein | Sigurd Hole | Spinifex | Alexi Tuomarila

Inge Weatherhead Breistein: Rust (Jazzland Recordings 3779671) Bergen-based saxophonist and composer Inge Weatherhead Breistein first came to my attention through his collaborations with Jazzland label-mate...

Reviewed: Nik Bärtsch Ronin | Erik Honoré | Russ Lossing | Daniel Sommer with Arve Henriksen and Johannes Lundberg

Nik Bärtsch Ronin: Spin (Ronin Rhythm Records RON 040CD) Celebrating their 20th anniversary with a new album, new line-up and a documentary film created by...

Reviewed: Mike Chillingworth | Felix Henkelhausen | Kjetil Møster | Marius Neset & Leif Ove Andsnes

If there’s a common theme linking this month’s releases then it must surely be rhythm. The first two come from composers experimenting with complex...
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Reviewed: Kjetil Husebø | Lampen | Pericopes+1 | Jenny Scheinman

Ever since the first jazz musician entered a recording studio or found the need for amplification, the music’s long and sometimes controversial relationship with...

Reviewed: Jessica Ackerley | Orson Claeys | Joe Sanders | Superposition

Given my longstanding appreciation of jazz that traverses the genre boundaries, it’s perhaps not surprising that each of the albums I’ve reviewed this month...

Phil Merriman Trio: The Roots Beneath

Classical grad influenced by Messaien and Bartók and tutored by John Taylor plays in trio, variously suggesting Paul Bley and Alice Coltrane

Olli Ahvenlahti: Euro Visions

The holy trinity of melody, harmony and rhythm has underpinned the Finnish veteran's work, whether in jazz or a certain song contest
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Bjørn Charles Dreyer: Fourth Wave And The Moon

The mostly adagio, mostly modal music of US-born, Norway-raised guitarist Dreyer blends Nordic reflection with touches of Americana

Devin Gray: To The Point

American drummer and Belgian reeds, piano and bass move from shades of Blue Note Wayne Shorter and M-Base to the hypnotically minimalist

Søren Lee: Hope

Virtuoso Danish guitarist drenches compositions reminding of John Scofield, Lovano, Metheny and Coltrane in Scofield's sound and phrasing

Phil Haynes’ 4 Horns & What?: The Complete American Recordings

Reissue for drummer Haynes' 1989-95 free-meets-New-Orleans music featuring Paul Smoker, Ellery Eskelin, John Tchicai and others
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