JETman Posted March 24, 2013 Report Posted March 24, 2013 When will we see the next Convergence Quartet release? Really love the one that came out on Clean Feed. Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted March 24, 2013 Author Report Posted March 24, 2013 Thanks so much! It should be very soon - as in, within a couple of weeks...I must confess, I don't have the precise release date, but I'll post here to confirm when I know for sure. At any rate: it's coming on NoBusiness Records...and was recorded live at the London Jazz Festival in 2011! Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted March 24, 2013 Report Posted March 24, 2013 Do your larger pieces stand a chance of getting to record, Alex? I really enjoyed the piece on the BBC last year. Or are the costs prohibitive? (I was amazed at how much NMC records needed to raise just to get out three contemporary operas already recorded for BBC broadcast). Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted March 24, 2013 Author Report Posted March 24, 2013 The costs are fairly prohibitive...although I hope it may be possible to do it somehow...I don't know, it's tricky though. The issue with larger ensembles is also rehearsal time...that many people together for a few days is logistically unfortunately never straightforward. But - I certainly hope there might be a way! Quote
mjazzg Posted March 25, 2013 Report Posted March 25, 2013 Alex, I'm wondering whether the Beeb gave you any parameters for the work as it's part of the Baroque Spring? If not, did the Baroque have any influence whatsoever? A friend of mine who was at Oto has done nothing but rave about this since the perrformance so I'm looking forward to hearing it myself Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted March 25, 2013 Author Report Posted March 25, 2013 Alex, I'm wondering whether the Beeb gave you any parameters for the work as it's part of the Baroque Spring? If not, did the Baroque have any influence whatsoever? A friend of mine who was at Oto has done nothing but rave about this since the perrformance so I'm looking forward to hearing it myself Ah wow, I'm flattered! We had a lovely night at Oto, actually...was a lot of fun...somewhat stressful, as due to an accident on the motorway, we completely missed a final rehearsal of the piece, and only had time for a 20-minute talk through before we hit...however - the 'terrible sound check, great gig' principle rode to our rescue! The Beeb were fantastic actually - I was set no parameters at all, apart from a rough guideline as the length of the piece. However, the more I thought about it, the less there was any need to contrive influence, because I realised there were so many parallels between the genres (whether conscious or not)...I did actually write some quite extensive notes for the session here where I try to go into a few of the ideas I was working with...but ideas of dance, repetitive structures, counterpoint, and so forth all fed into it. Plus, Ellington is where my heart is, so 'The Hot Bach' was also an important organising principle for me! Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted April 5, 2013 Report Posted April 5, 2013 Just listened to the BBC broadcast. Very enjoyable and introduced, as always, with the sort of clarity that doesn't befuddle the lay person. Imagine in years to come there will be an 'Alex Hawkins Larger Groups: The BBC Tapes' release for enthusiasts! Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted April 6, 2013 Author Report Posted April 6, 2013 Wow - thanks for checking it out, Bev! Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted May 11, 2013 Report Posted May 11, 2013 Just noticed: Friday October 25Sheffield JazzLouis Moholo-Moholo QuartetJason Yarde, ss, as, bars; AH, p; John Edwards, b; Louis Moholo-Moholo, d Looking forward to that very much. And on a Friday! Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted May 31, 2013 Author Report Posted May 31, 2013 Just noticed: Friday October 25Sheffield JazzLouis Moholo-Moholo QuartetJason Yarde, ss, as, bars; AH, p; John Edwards, b; Louis Moholo-Moholo, d Looking forward to that very much. And on a Friday! Will be great to see you!!! I can't wait for this one...Louis was on simply awesome form last month when we did a few things... BTW - did you happen to catch any of the EMF this last weekend? Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted May 31, 2013 Report Posted May 31, 2013 BTW - did you happen to catch any of the EMF this last weekend? I did. Attended a couple of very enjoyable concerts in Silk Hall - a string orchestra that opened my ears to Alwyn's Sinfonietta for Strings and a marvellous quartet/quintet concert doing Britten/Ireland/Elgar. I prefer the concerts there as you have good sight lines whereas in the Abbey the orchestra is crushed at the end. The only disappointment was the new commissions concert in the Abbey where the new commissions were very tame. You need to organise an equivalent to Evan Parker's Freezone at the old Appleby there, Alex! Might bring the average age of attendance below 80! Looking forward to the solo record. Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted June 1, 2013 Author Report Posted June 1, 2013 BTW - did you happen to catch any of the EMF this last weekend? I did. Attended a couple of very enjoyable concerts in Silk Hall - a string orchestra that opened my ears to Alwyn's Sinfonietta for Strings and a marvellous quartet/quintet concert doing Britten/Ireland/Elgar. I prefer the concerts there as you have good sight lines whereas in the Abbey the orchestra is crushed at the end. The only disappointment was the new commissions concert in the Abbey where the new commissions were very tame. You need to organise an equivalent to Evan Parker's Freezone at the old Appleby there, Alex! Might bring the average age of attendance below 80! Looking forward to the solo record. Interesting - to be completely honest, I'm not sure I even knew the Alwyn existed! Yes, the sight lines in that space are fantastic - and I always think the sound is particular kind to strings...a shame I was away for most of the weekend. Actually - that's not a bad thought about trying to organise a Freezone-type thing...I may drop them a line...it being my home turf, I'm sure I can scare up a contact address from somewhere! Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted June 1, 2013 Report Posted June 1, 2013 The Alwyn is on the Chandos box of the symphonies - it's a haunting piece. There's a contact address here for Em Marshall-Luck who seems to drive everything: http://www.englishmusicfestival.org.uk/contact.html Quote
mjazzg Posted July 4, 2013 Report Posted July 4, 2013 Careful Alex, don't step on those LPs (sound of vinyl hounds weeping in despair)! Interesting article - good to hear of the imminent (?) Babel releases Quote
CraigP Posted July 5, 2013 Report Posted July 5, 2013 Yes, and I hope Babel Label releases them as LPs - they did a great job with Catatumbo. BTW, the new Convergence Quartet is one of the very best things I've heard this year. It got a great review on Stef's Free Jazz blog. Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted July 5, 2013 Report Posted July 5, 2013 Nice article in Jazzwise this month. Like the 'Bringing it All Back Home' photo! Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted July 9, 2013 Author Report Posted July 9, 2013 Careful Alex, don't step on those LPs (sound of vinyl hounds weeping in despair)! Interesting article - good to hear of the imminent (?) Babel releases Don't worry...they're safe...strictly for show Yes, and I hope Babel Label releases them as LPs - they did a great job with Catatumbo. BTW, the new Convergence Quartet is one of the very best things I've heard this year. It got a great review on Stef's Free Jazz blog. Thanks so much for the kind comments about the Convergence Quartet! I love that band...looking forward to a short tour later in the year! I'm afraid the Babel releases are going to be CD only. But I completely agree with you about their vinyl, which I think is really nicely produced...maybe I'll have to discuss the next thing with them Nice article in Jazzwise this month. Like the 'Bringing it All Back Home' photo! Thanks Bev! Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted January 21, 2014 Report Posted January 21, 2014 And now the full page Babel advert in Jazzwise! Superstar status! Great to see your music picking up such good press. Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted February 4, 2014 Author Report Posted February 4, 2014 That's really kind, thanks Bev...it's was really nice of Babel to run that advert for sure...I hope it convinces at least a handful of people to check it out Quote
CraigP Posted February 5, 2014 Report Posted February 5, 2014 I wish Downtown Music Gallery would stock Babel Label titles. Quote
uli Posted February 25, 2014 Report Posted February 25, 2014 I am listening to this for the first time and dig it a lot Quote
CraigP Posted February 25, 2014 Report Posted February 25, 2014 I am listening to this for the first time and dig it a lot Yes, that is a great recording. Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted February 25, 2014 Author Report Posted February 25, 2014 Thank you! It's a fun band for sure...we did a short tour just before Christmas, and it was a LOT of fun...Dom is really an amazing musician... Quote
CraigP Posted February 25, 2014 Report Posted February 25, 2014 Thank you! It's a fun band for sure...we did a short tour just before Christmas, and it was a LOT of fun...Dom is really an amazing musician... I was bummed, because when I ordered it, it was only listed as a download. Then shortly thereafter, they added the CD but it was too late. Please tell Babel Label to indicate if a CD or LP version is coming! Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted February 26, 2014 Author Report Posted February 26, 2014 Ah, sorry about that...sure thing - will pass it on. Fwiw in future - I believe all the releases exist in a physical form; and 95% of those are CD...but yes, I'll mention it! Quote
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