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Alex Hitchcock Dream Band
(PizzaExpress Jazz Membership, Soho. 13 March 2024. Sixth evening of tour. Evaluate by Tom Step)
The colorful abstractions of the Alex Hitchcock Dream Band mesmerised a offered out PizzaExpress on the only UK date on their Spring tour.
English saxophonist, bandleader and Ivor-Novello nominated composer Alex Hitchcock has a rising worldwide status. The band had already flown in from Barcelona and led a masterclass on the Royal Academy of Music earlier than the gig. Fittingly, the music, explored the themes of transferring away from dwelling and travelling.
The ‘Dream Band’ had me dreaming in one of the best ways. Every participant has a powerful identification. Hitchcock’s enjoying was a firework show: always altering shapes and hues fizzed and twisted in surprising instructions and but slotted collectively cohesively. Dave Adewumi (Trumpet) was extra like a blue, flowing river. His trumpet was virtually flute-like, his tone and articulation tender even within the greater registers. This gave his trumpet enjoying an interesting fragility.
Hitchcock, Adewumi and Lex Korten (Piano) acquired to know each other by likelihood after they had been grouped collectively in an ensemble while finding out. Years of expertise enjoying collectively appeared evident from Korten’s understanding of each horn gamers. His comping was supportive like that of good friend agreeing. His brilliant voicings, particularly throughout solo piano intros, conjured up photos of nonetheless, shiny puddles on a chilly spring morning.
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JK Kim on the drums had incredible dynamic consciousness. He gives up musical explosions, after which delays their resolutions indefinitely, letting the soloist determine what to do with them, which is thrilling for the band and viewers alike. Orlando Le Fleming’s bass enjoying has that tough to outline feeling of correctness. He articulates each word with such authority and objective that every little thing he performed felt essential, and his solos had been a mannequin of melody and lyricism.
A Hitchcock saxophone cadenza was a spotlight: The relaxed smoothness of his flurrying strains interspersed with rigorously calculated bends appeared to suggest a cool, New York accent. A rhythmic ostinato was the anchor which finally fashioned a seamless cue into the subsequent tune.
The band left us with one final shock, the visitor look of alto saxophonist Rachael Cohen. Cohen’s virtuosity was immediately at dwelling and the three horns in concord felt wealthy compared to the 2 half and largely unison melodies heard till then. The very first phrase of Cohen’s solo had an attractive wistfulness which endured all through her improvisation.
This entire band are notable for his or her delicate style and refined precision. Generally fashionable jazz favours ‘musical muscle’ over human connection. Right here although, there was an equality throughout the band and no overriding egos. Their appreciable expertise had been deployed in measured doses, which had been a delight to eat.
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