Tempus fugit - more fugue-it if you prefer - definitely far from a case of fuhgettaboutit as it's Bley days in the mix for the 1990s Britjazzer Richard Fairhurst this summer: photo: Monika S. Jakubowska
Almost a decade since Fairhurst's very fine Duets (Basho, 2015) that had tributes to Pete Saberton and Kenny Wheeler and a strong Bill Evans theme marking a collaboration between erstwhile Leicester scene pianist Fairhurst and the late great John Taylor of Azimuth renown - a trio featuring Norma Winstone and Kenny Wheeler sampled by Drake - there's news today of Fairhurst embarking on a fresh chapter with new upcoming trio album Inside Out (an Ubuntu 14 June release).
Fairhurst appeared in a stellar carousel of players held at a Piano Summit homage to Taylor at the Purcell Room on the South Bank in 2015 not long after JT passed away, a stellar concert featuring Fairhurst, Michael Wollny, Liam Noble, Gwilym Simcock and still more great players.
Fairhurst, who turns 50 in 2024, made his name with a series of albums on Oliver Weindling's Babel label with the Hungry Ants beginning in the late-1990s, on the upcoming release reunites once again with fellow Hungry Ant drummer Tim Giles and with bassist Dave Whitford who played the Louche with Alec Harper at a fine gig in Soho last year. Hanks for the memories. Fairhurst explains that: ''The album features my original compositions and two arrangements of tunes penned by the legendary Carla Bley. The concept behind this record was to bring together my own compositional style and explore the world of free improvisation that I have become increasingly drawn to. There are structured composed pieces with intricate harmonies, melodies and rhythmic complexities, with each track reflecting unique facets of my musical journey - Inside Out represents where I stand creatively as a pianist and composer to date.''
Updated adding Fairhurst piece 'Ash Catcher' on 15 April
Tags: news