Alexander Hawkins

This totally depends. Yes, as you say, sometimes the rehearsal is understood as covered by part of the session fee. But I've been paid for plenty of rehearsals. I don't know how it was 'in the day', but to say that no-one pays is untrue, certainly nowadays. Perhaps depends on how scrupulous the producer is? Dunno. BTW - I don't buy the 'writing/music - dancing/architecture' thing, at least insofar as it's meant as something of a dig against writing about music. It appeals in a tiny way to the small part of me that appreciates the occasional 'bon mot' - but otherwise, please! Several things: 1) let's not think too hard about things - I for one simply enjoy reading about music; 2) sure, it's difficult to capture many and various things in writing about music (as it is to capture various ideas about other things in music), but this isn't to say that writing e.g. can't send you to check out/appreciate music in more depth; 3) you can still appreciate the writing qua writing in any case - examples where this is the case for me personally - Larry Kart, John Szwed. And 4) - think about it from a practical point of view as a producer. From my point of view as a musician, certainly I need writers. Reviews etc. are what help people like us work, and it's conceited to think otherwise. No-one is more important than anyone else in the musical enterprise, really - most of us are all in the game of enjoying and trying to make it happen. Anyhow, this is sort of off-topic...moving back on to the subject in hand...I have to hang my head slightly and say that I haven't read Tom Perchard's book. I've had the pleasure of meeting Tom on gigs, and don't doubt however that it's an excellent and perceptive book - he knows what he's talking about, and then some - seriously. And I can honestly say that I have heard some really heavy musicians lavish praise on the book. Here is a link to Tom's site.

I'm not sure about the drummer - not heard of him - but Baars and bassist Wilbert De Joode are seriously heavyweight - fantastic. And last time I heard Vandermark, he was absolutely wonderful...I think he sounds really good with Europeans...I would definitely check out the show!

Thank you - it's a privilege to get to play with musicians like these!

What a shame... Ah yes, the Italians! Didn't Paolo Angeli come over? I keep meaning to check out the trio with Angeli, Ned Rothenberg and Evan Parker which I think was recorded at the festival that year...

I'm still willing to accept this... Spoil sport

Thanks Bev! I would have loved to have played at Appleby...one of those festival line-ups I would look at longingly each year! As a regular, have you heard anything about it? Is it actually defunct, or on 'gardening leave'? We have the Freedom of the City festival back this year, after all...

Thank you Jim, and thank you Chuck for posting that for me!

Hmmm...my brain is scrambled now...if I'm counting these bars right in my head (), I think that's the phrase I think is from the Falla...oh well! Will try to listen to one or other tomorrow if I remember!

...btw - also a free workshop on the afternoon of April 30th at Oxford University...

I'm pleased to say I have a new one...it's on FMR Records - FMRCD270-0209. This is my sextet, featuring Orphy Robinson, steel pan; Otto Fischer, guitar; Hannah Marshall, 'cello; Dominic Lash, double bass; Javier Carmona, drums; and myself on piano. Mostly original compositions, but some free improvisations, and two 'covers': Wadada Leo Smith's 'Nuru Light' and Sun Ra's 'Love in Outer Space'. You can listen to one of the originals (Cowley Road Strut) and the Sun Ra here. I'm not entirely sure how to post an image, but I'm delighted with the artwork, featuring photographs by my brother...anyway, the front cover is on show here and here. I hope to post reviews here as and when they arrive. I'm not sure when these will arrive 'online', but I hope to have my copies tomorrow, and of course if anybody would like a copy now, I'd be delighted to send one. They're going for £10 or $15 each. Please PM me if interested! I'll do the P+P for free. I also still have some copies of The Convergence Quartet's first album available (info here, reviews here), so for a short while if anyone's interested, I'd be happy to do both for £16/$24. Cheers! Alex

There's a slightly curious website here with some of the texts...I had fun doing one of these pieces with Phil Wachsmann in a workshop last year..! Nice to play/interpret...

Larry - this has been nagging me the last few days since I read it...yes, I agree, it's definitely something well known...I don't think it's Carmen - I did some prepping for a performance of that last month, and it doesn't ring any bells (shame on me if it should...but I'm fairly sure my memory isn't letting me down). But I had a thought this morning...I can't find my copy just now to check, but could it be something from De Falla's 'El Amor Brujo'? Thinking in particular of the melody in that 4th bar of the trumpet/alto motif in 3rds...

Another of my intermittent plugs, for those in the UK or who happen to be on the road over here... At the end of this month, and into May, The Convergence Quartet will be touring again. The line-up: Taylor Ho Bynum (cornet); Harris Eisenstadt (drums/percussion); Dominic Lash (double bass); and myself on piano. We play: Bristol Cube - 25/4 Reading Rising Sun Arts Centre - 26/4 London Vortex Jazz Club - 27/4 Birmingham Rainbow Jazz Club - 29/4 Oxford University Denis Arnold Hall - 30/4 Cheltenham Club Xposed (part of Cheltenham International Jazz Festival) - 1/5 Cambridge Churchill College - 2/5 Colchester Arts Centre - 3/5 We're in the studio on 4/5, so more on that as and when... Then, after that session, I'm across London that night to the Conway Hall, for the Freedom of the City festival, back after a year's hiatus. Fantastic venue, beautiful piano, and a duo with the awesome Tony Marsh. And finally, the week after, on 12th May, my first time with the iconic South African drummer Louis Moholo-Moholo. I'm very excited to be depping for the evening for Steve Beresford in the Foxes Fox quartet, so Evan Parker, tenor; John Edwards, double bass; me at the piano; and Louis Moholo-Moholo on drums. As always, would be great to see anyone out and about supporting live music! (and more details here if need be)

Great - thank you!

Thanks for that tip-off Nate - I must check out the Braam...I like what I've heard of his stuff!

I actually have an album coming out in the next couple of weeks which features Orphy heavily. I must have said it elsewhere, but he is one of the most gifted musicians I have ever come across. I absolutely love playing with him. Bruise did actually use deps/have guests for a while. I first saw them, actually, with Louis Moholo on drums...and I know they've had Steve Noble playing drums with them, as well as Tom Arthurs and Ian Smith playing trumpet at least once each...but yes, I think Tony's concept more recently was no deps. FWIW - I think I'm right in saying the original (I take it unrecorded) line-up actually was drummerless...

(although with bass rather than guitar!)...am recording with this group for Bo'Weavil tomorrow (fortunately a B3 rather than this keyboard, excellent though it is!). Featuring the phenomenal rhythm section of Steve Noble John Edwards - always a real privilege to play with (has anyone checked out their trio records on Bo'Weavil with, respectively, Alex Ward and Alan Wilkinson?)

Ooh I dunno! Orphy Robinson's my man! p.s. Corey Mwamba as well, who posts here on occasion, is an awesome player... BTW - I have always really enjoyed Beaujolais when I've seen him

I haven't heard the Ra albums, but did stumble on some clips of this a few months ago...there remains this one, although it's a real shame two others have been removed. There was a wonderful Don Cherry feature, and then a version of Poinciana where Gilmore was UNREAL.

p.s. Saturday would have to be Dunmall/Grimes/Cyrille for me!

No problem! Just had a look at their online programme - looks like a fair bit to choose from that night! Nice double bill there with Arguelles/Martino, though!

I'm at Cheltenham on Friday 1st May with this band, if anyone's interested!

His current band, featuring my friend/frequent partner in musical crime Dominic Lash on bass, is *REALLY* something live...Netsvetaev on keyboards, Joe Rigby on tenor, a fantastic Senegalese percussionist whose name I can't remember I'm afraid, and Hebden...can't comment on Spirit Walk because I haven't heard it, but these guys played hands down one of the most exciting gigs I heard last year!

I'm jealous!

Yes! Have only heard it through the once, but really enjoyed it...some fantastic stuff on there...