After too long an absence from the UK, Holland's pioneering Instant Composers Pool – a talent-packed cornerstone of European free-jazz for 45 years – are on an extended residency at the Vortex jazz club in Dalston, London. On the second night of five, ICP subgroups played three all-improv sets with local partners, followed by an impromptu finale by the whole Dutch collective. The closing two shows, comprising only ICP, look set to illustrate how remarkably this unique outfit – "part jazz band, part chamber orchestra", as their chronicler Kevin Whitehead puts it – segues abstract improv, Ellingtonian poise, and a raft of musical genres and performance art.
Their three small-group sets began with a free-boppish feel, articulately established by saxophonist Michael Moore and quarter-tone trumpeter Thomas Heberer. The fluent rhythm-section of locals Alex Maguire (piano) and Mark Sanders (drums) and ICP bassist Ernst Glerum produced a flexible swing. British vocalist Phil Minton, emitting sounds that ranged from catlike cries to rattlesnake noises, was embraced by percussionist Roger Turner. Meanwhile, Holland's Ab Baars and the UK's Alex Ward, on reeds and wooden flute, merged warm harmonies.
But perhaps the most eloquent encounter took place between the resourceful ICP trombonist Wolter Wierbos and London saxist John Butcher, with Mark Sanders on drums. Wierbo combined his warm sound with precise intonation, while Butcher found a range of wind noises, Evan Parkeresque percussive outbursts and long-tone tranquillity. It amounted to a miniature history lesson on the evolution of European jazz-influenced improvisation.
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