This year’s new work commissioned by the mjf Originals scheme is by Adam Fairhall, a pianist-composer who has written a suite in celebration of the American vernacular forms, sounds and influences of early jazz, blues, rags and stomps. Channelling his interpretations through the musical prism of the 21st century, he creates a sound-world that is as surprising as it is reverential.
With the band resplendent in costume, an assortment of hitherto overlooked instruments and a line-up of esteemed players well-versed in contemporary and historical jazz language, Adam promises to re-shape the way we look at traditional forms of jazz, often using extracts of the recordings through which it survives.
The piece makes spectacular use of a specially-prepared upright piano, in addition to the conventional grand, and weaves in sounds from the laptop and turntable. Within these treatments, a variety of old and new idioms will come into play, including free jazz, odd time signatures, free time and harmonic dissonance, such that you might have to listen hard to distinguish the original forms. Throughout, there is a profound awareness of the type of ‘image’ of the musical past being created: the forms will be twisted and subverted, but rather than just giving the impression of satire or irony, a deep love of the original idioms will come through in the new music.
Adam Fairhall – grand piano, prepared upright piano, harmonica
Paul Rogers – laptop, turntable, diddley bow, assorted objects
Steve Chadwick – trumpet
James Allsopp – tenor saxophone
Chris Bridges – trombone, jug
Tim Fairhall – double bass
Gaz Hughes – drums, banjo
There will be a post-show discussion with Adam, free to ticket-holders.
This event will begin at 8pm but our Picturehouse Cafe Bar is open from 5.30pm for delicious food and drinks.
