Alexander Hawkins

Do! It's his regular working trio (John Edwards and Tony Marsh) with Ray Warleigh guesting...Ray is sounding totally beautiful these days, on flute and alto...his recent duo album with Tony Marsh on Evan's Psi label is really wonderful IMHO.

Very kind :blush2: - actually, hopefully news in literally a day or two about the second album, a studio session from earlier this year

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...