Alexander Hawkins

Yeah, can't wait to hear Canada Day. Guewel is totally awesome for anyone who has yet to check it out - really inventive writing, great playing from all involved. To play with, whether time/no-time/fully-scored/completely free - whatever - he brings FEEL like you wouldn't believe. I think your point towards the end Clifford about his stuff not being about the drummer first, then the rest, is absolutely spot on: he is one of the most 'generous' musicians you could wish to play with - always 100% sounding like himself, and yet 100% supporting the other musicians in the group and trying to make them sound as good as possible the whole time. Cool stuff. Also - Vista with Adam Rudolph and Sam Rivers - fantastic!!!

I'm looking forward to checking this one out...I chatted with Pat shortly after the session, and I think all the musicians involved were really excited by it. I was playing with Evan Parker on the night of the session...Wadada came to the gig, and I had the great pleasure of meeting him...a very inspirational guy. p.s. I really enjoy whichever of the Treader releases I've heard (FWIW - I think they're really lovely packages 'in the flesh'). One which may have gone under the radar of some is Alex Ward's solo clarinet record 'Cremated Thoughts'...check it out - extraordinary!

Aren't there a few things with Combelle and Hawkins together? In fact, isn't he in the section on 'Body and Soul'? p.s. just when I thought I could work the 'European Hawkins' angle

Thanks Bev! Yeah...but you know, wanted to choose the more lucrative career path, so... Yes, I don't think I quite explained myself terribly well with that comment...I was trying to comment on that very 'schooled' type of playing that seems to come out of a lot of the 'official' music colleges...the very rigidly chord/scale thing...but I probably should have tried to take a few more words to explain what I was thinking! [FWIW - I really can't get the hang of Jarrett, and must admit, don't really have the will to try - not wanting to 'start' anything(!), but just not interested, personally...but Bill Evans I love!]

Sorry to be slow to respond - been away from the computer for a bit this week! Just to say - thank you so much for the kind words. It means a lot to have people check your stuff out, and to have it enjoyed is even better - so THANK YOU!

Will send a PM! You're right - I need to make it clearer!

Not being flippant, but that modulating in 3rds rather than 4ths/5ths is a Schubert-type thing as well... Yeah...the bridge to HYMMJ is cool...also quite treacherous, depending on what you're expecting!!! (Or is that just me? )

Thanks for posting the link!

I hope no-one minds me posting a bit of an advert here! If you get a chance, do check out www.eduhawkins.com. It's my brother's new photography website. Obviously I'm biased(!), but I think you'll find some great shots here of guys like Jack DeJohnette, Hugh Masekela, Louis Moholo-Moholo, etc. Anyway, please do take a look! (He also provided the photography for the sleeve of my recent album, which some of you have made kind comments about!).

Just for anyone in London on 30/9 - Qwati returns to the Vortex, with a slightly expanded line-up: Claude Deppa, trumpet Gail Brand, trombone Ntshuks Bonga, alto saxophone AH - piano Oren Marshall - tuba Mark Sanders - drums Please come out for some sounds from South Africa!

True - and despite the scoreline, West Ham didn't really look too much like winning it, especially over the course of the last half hour, when they just ran out of steam. I will say this though - Liverpool *really* miss Alonso, and (IMHO!) are royally screwed should they lose Torres for any amount of time to injury/suspension/whatever.

A genius and an inspiration - lucky residents of NYC!

Wow - 14?!?

Just noticed this...my guess would be Ferencvaros, but it must have been 10 years or so ago??? Yes - tomorrow will be a really good day! Today - well, I actually fancy West Ham to put one over Liverpool...

The Bim will be an incredible place to hear these two!

A very classy look to the front page! I'm a little busy this morning but I'll look around and have a listen soon. Very kind, thank you - and indeed to everyone! - for taking the time to check it out.

Thanks for that - yes, will definitely do that link...and will add some more photos to the gallery!

Well, I finally got around to having someone who knows what they're doing put my website together properly... Would be great if anyone felt like having a look at what is hopefully the 'new, improved' version. And of course, I'd really appreciate any feedback! www.alexanderhawkins.com should do it...

Acutally, my initial reaction was like yours - not too many guys left who played with Ayler. But thinking about it, the list isn't too short: just off the top of my head, guys like Murray, Graves, Grimes, Peacock, Few, Tchicai...for sure though, would be v interesting to hear their reminiscences!

Hi Bev, Thank you so much for the kind words - really glad you like it! Yes, really hope I can organise to gig it a bit further northwards next year...I hadn't stopped to think, but we have been shamefully parochial thus far - all gigs within striking distance of London, even though we have played a fair bit, so I really must rectify that..!

Wow! One day, we'll get a promoter with the vision/finances/whatever it takes to bring guys like this to the UK (in fairness, Lake and Grimes have both been recently - but have the others ever played over here???). Sounds like a wonderful set.

Sure! PM sent - thank you for the interest!

Bev - thank you for letting me know - have sent you a PM! Another nice review just in at AAJ about our launch gig...

Yes - Ingrid is sounding incredible at the moment! Caught her with bass/drums in London a few months back, and it was awesome. Everyone should check out her record in Intakt (with Rainey and Liam Noble) - wonderful stuff.

Thank John! Also, another one just in at AAJ.