GSCENE 49
ALL THAT JAZZ
ART MATTERS
) YONATHAN AVISHAI Joys And Solitudes (ECM). Israeli–French pianist Yonathan Avishai is best known for his work alongside ECM label-mate and trumpeter Avishai Cohen, but has for the past five years led his own Modern Times Trio, here making their recording debut. The trio boasts an international line-up: bassist Yoni Zelnik, a Paris-based Israeli; Donald Kontomanou, a French drummer of Greek and Guinean heritage. Avishai himself was partially brought up as a child in Japan, from where, through watching kabuki plays, he developed a sensitive minimalism in his playing. Not that he is afraid of letting go, as the delightful Tango shows, a piece that captures some of the intensity of the dance but only hints at its rhythms towards the end. The only standard, Mood Indigo, proceeds initially at funereal pace before gently blossoming, while the rest of the pieces are by Avishai himself. What links them all together is Avishai’s respect for the jazz tradition and his economy of playing, becoming more expressive with less, as “when you listen to Lester Young or Louis Armstrong and you can see how they can make you cry in eight bars.” An accomplished and rewarding debut.
This month I have news of two exhibitions in the same local venue, as well as an exhibition I’m involved in, which may tempt you to travel to.
BY S I M O N A DA M S
BY E N Z O M A R R A
ENZO MARRA ARCHIPELAGO
ARCHIPELAGO
) MAURICE VANDER Piano Jazz Trio Sessions (Fresh Sound Records). I’m sure I’m not the only person who has never heard of Maurice Vander before, but I’m so glad Fresh Sound has introduced us at last. Vander (1929–2017) epitomised 1950s’ Paris jazz, where a club pianist could make a stylish impression. Vander made his debut in 1948, his first recording as leader occurring leading a trio in 1955. He was soon in great demand to support visiting musicians such as Chet Baker and Sarah Vaughan. In 1960 he began working at Paris’s Blue Note club, with bassist Pierre Michelot and the American expat bebop drummer Kenny Clarke, and recorded with them in 1961. This set presents these two trio sessions. Vander plays only standards, each one showcasing his characteristically clear yet delicate attack, his easy-on-the-ear sound and flawless technique. His improvisations were inspired, his effortless swing capable of communicating both great warmth and a reflective tenderness. Not a virtuoso, but still worth getting to know.
Eastbourne, www.townereastbourne.org.uk ) DAVID NASH: 200 SEASONS (until Sept 1), the largest and most ambitious exhibition of David Nash's work ever presented, is a major survey of Nash’s career from the late 1960s to the present day, exploring his unique contribution to British sculpture and the international Land Art movement. The exhibition reflects the artist’s long relationship with Wales and in particular Capel Rhiw, his home and studio for over half a century, as well as exploring his links with East Sussex and Lewes where Nash lives and works for part of the year. The exhibition has been developed in partnership with National Museum Cardiff, taking place there (May 3–Sept 1), and was generously supported by the Colwinston Charitable Trust and the Henry Moore Foundation. ) TEN (until Nov 10) is a celebration of Towner's 10th anniversary in the Rick Mather designed building’s new Eastbourne seafront. A group from Towner's team, who have worked and volunteered at the gallery since 2009, have curated an exhibition from works in the permanent collection that have been acquired in the last 10 years. Shown in Gallery 1, the original Collection Gallery, visitors will experience some well-loved favourites, as well as others rarely on public display. Together they demonstrate the breadth of Towner’s Collection, which have come to the gallery through purchases, gifts and on loan. Highlights include works by Grayson Perry, Tom Hammick, John Piper, Ivan Navarro and Kathleen Walne.
DAVID NASH
TOWNER ART GALLERY
TEN
) VIJAY IYER/CRAIG TABORN The Transitory Poems (ECM). In contrast to the quiet melodicism of Avishai and the traditional appeal of Vander comes this album of eight often atonal abstractions from two out-andout modernist pianists. Recorded live in Budapest in March 2018, Iyer and Taborn combine to create music of steely intensity with only the occasional tonal shafts of light breaking through. Throughout there is a raw beauty to their work, a real sense of movement and drama. I’ve said this of other sets I have reviewed, but this is most certainly not for the faint hearted. Just try it.
The Mezzanine, Walthamstow Wetlands, 2 Forest Rd, London N17 9NH, walthamstowwetlands.com/archipelago ) ARCHIPELAGO (daily from 9.30am–4pm, Sat 1–Sun 30). This is an ongoing project bringing together artists working in different geographical locations, to collaborate in synchronised events. Archipelago is informed by the concept of artists as connected islands, communicating at multiple levels and in multiple ways. The project explores lines of communication between artists, both conscious and unconscious, and considers the creative process as an interplay between individual, cultural and societal preoccupations. The introductory round of the project will focus on a real archipelago, a series of nine connected islands in Walthamstow Wetlands. Accompanied by a writer and film crew, the artists will convene together to meet and talk, and to then make studies in the landscape, each taking up a view of one of the designated islands. The artists include Edwin Aitken, Ruth Calland, Annabel Dover, me, Edgar Racy, Victoria Rance, Mimei Thompson, Jonathan Waller and your paradise island. They will return to their studios to interpret the experience and allow it to feed into their own practice, returning with both studies and work made in the studio for the final exhibition.