| Great choice of listening Kevin I would suggest that if you don't allready know him you could do worse than check out a London based Canadian trumpet/flugel player who is one of the giants of modern jazz.
My top tip for what promises to be one of the gigs of the year is the Ken Wheeler 75th Birthday Celebration Big Band. He is on tour in the UK in early January (QEH on the 14th - but its probably sold out by now). I saw Kens last big band gig in London - that was 15 years ago but luckily the music from that tour was recorded on the ECM album, Music for Large and Small Ensembles. If you are unfamiliar with Ken's playing and writing this might be an excellent 'in' for you.
That band features an all star cast, including Derek Watkins, Henry Lowther and Alan Downey (who composed Maynard's Give It One) in the trumpet section with Pete Erskine and Dave Holland in the rhythm section. I can only hope that the time and funds are found to record the new music Ken has composed for the 2005 tour.
Ken may be getting on a bit these days but his playing is much fresher than many young cats I hear today - he is a true improviser, one who has moved the music forwards over the last 40 years and has an instantly recognisable sound and style. In my opinion falls squarely into the 'what's happening now' box and is deserving of much wider recognition. I guess you might have found Kens name in Down Beat inj years gone by - but I would agree with dbacon, it is not the first place I would look to get into the jazz loop these days.
All the best. Noel.
__________________ Noel Langley - Eclipse Artist noel@eclipsetrumpets.com
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