ALEX CLARKE 'OUT OF THE WOODS' QUARTET AT HIDDEN ROOMS
Alex Clarke on saxophone all images by Mike Harris Photographer
The Stifling Summer of Twenty Six got a blast of fresh air on Thursday. Stuffy outside, Hidden Rooms in its sun sheltered cave was the place to breathe easy and chill – to the exquisite music of Alex Clarke ‘Out of the Woods’ Quartet. Fresh original and straight out of the Bebop playlist. Bebop? It was the American jazz behemoth, a rebellion against the straitjackets of 40s Band Music and the strictures of trad music. Think Charlie Parker, Art Blakey and Dizzy Gillespie, all headed for an abstract freedom based on superb technique and fast playing.
Yet Alex Clarke ‘s brilliant quartet swung in a soulful ‘Stolen Moments’with David Newton on deliciously sensuous piano (bring that man on, he’s a tonic) In Bebop form, the number returns to Alex on sax and some gorgeous ensemble playing with Dave Green’s double bass and Matt Home’s sharp drums. On her must-have to- cheer your dull morning or so-so evening CD we get World on a String, a positively melodic number.
For inspirations of this tour is as the title suggest is the veteran saxophonist, Phil Woods. He toured the world with Benny Goodman (Russia) and Quincey Jones (Europe) but has in many ways left more of a legacy than either of those giants. The tour is devoted to his approach, it even ends with his traditional theme “How’s Your Momma?”
Yet it’s the languid mature style of the soloist here who captured all hearts in Hidden Rooms. Alex Clarke’s homage to Phil Woods brings a bright newness to saxophone playing and all the quartet members go with her.
“Gone With the Wind’ was slow, moody and in a mellow groove and featured a spine-tingling interplay of bass and piano . “The Vikings Return” - aka “Kimtana” actually written by legendary Phil Woods as straight hardbop and “Out of the Woods” was classic bebop in a fast-paced presentation. There was fun and irony there too. The chord sequence from “Just the way you are” mutated into “As you Were”.
Jazz frankly doesn’t get much better than this. Off to put on my CD for the fifth time and something new emerges but there is nothing absolutely nothing - as Ratty would say in Wind in the Willows - better than being in the room with live music like this.
Dave Green on Bass
David Newton on Piano
a moment of connection with Alex and Matt
Matt Home on piano
