Another by legendary music journalist Chris Welch from our Pizza Soho gig
DYLAN’S PIZZA EXCITEMENT
Dylan Howe’s Unity 4 group played a superb set at London’s Pizza Express jazz club (June 25).
With Tony Kofi on commanding alto sax and backed by the brilliant Mike Outram on lead guitar, this tight combo was completed by the swinging Hammond organ playing of Ross Stanley.
Dylan is one of the UK’s finest young drummers who can play funk, rock and jazz with consumate ease. With Unity 4 his aim was to recreate the mood on one of his favourite Bluenote albums, Larry Young’s ‘Unity’. Among the tunes played was Woody Shaw’s ‘Zoltan,’ with Dylan setting up a brisk march on his snare drum. ‘Monk’s Dream’ swung furiously as Howe built up the volume on a compact Gretsch drum kit that delivered tremendous power.
Ross Stanley was featured in a duo number with the drums and Tony Kofi twas outstanding on the ballad ‘Moonlight In Vermont.’ The second set saw the group relax and evolve, the telepathy between the players capturing different moods on an unusal Ornette Coleman piece ‘Broadway Blues.’ Dylan soloed copiously but it was perhaps Mike Outram who devised the most remarkable solos of the evening, building from inauspicious beginnings towards cataclysmic climaxes.
When Unity 4 locked into a funk groove it seemed almost like a different group, but diversity and evolution typify their musical philosophy
ABOUT THE MUSIC ON THE PLAYER -
This is just a couple of little clips of us during rehearsals - messing around, playing through some of the stuff we're going to do on the tour; in trio and duo - none with us all unfortunately - hard to press the red button at the right time to get us all playing on tape! - Let alone the four of us in the same room at the same time ... (!):
Ornette Coleman's Law Years
Pat Metheny's Song For Bilbao and Change Of Heart
PROPER VIDEO CLIPS TO HOPEFULLY FOLLOW SOON BUT IN THE MEANTIME HERE'S SOME VERY SHORT FILM FROM OUR QEH FOYER GIG LAST SUMMER:
DYLAN HOWE
(04/08/69. London)
Dylan started playing drums at 10. His distinctive groove and versatility has led him to be drummer of choice for leading artists and producers worldwide. Naturally at home in nearly any musical setting or genre, DH has spent the past five years focusing on his jazz groups, honing his compositional skills, gathering critical acclaim for his four albums and tandem nationwide tours as well as gaining attention for his evolving style behind the drum kit.
Mostly self-taught, and having picked up the sticks to jam with his dad Yes guitarist Steve Howe in 1979, Dylan has been particularly influenced by Roy Haynes, Elvin Jones, Stewart Copeland, John Bonham, Al Jackson Jr and the music of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Igor Stravinsky, David Bowie, Stevie Wonder and the Muppets.
An active member of legendary band The Blockheads for over 12 years and session credits on over 60 albums and hundreds of live TV appearances, Dylan's love of jazz has run like a thread through his successful session and sideman career (credits include Nick Cave, Damon Albarn, Portishead, Robert Wyatt, Ian Dury and The Blockheads, Ray Davies, Gabrielle, Sir Paul McCartney, Gilad Atzmon, Stan Sulzmann and Courtney Pine among many others), 2008 sees Dylan touring with his new 'Unity 4' group, Steve Howe Trio, Portishead splinter group The Blessing and planning new projects for 2009.
'Inspiring and invigorating in any genre.' 'THE GUARDIAN
'A superb player.' THE OBSERVER
'Swings like an old veteran.' MODERN DRUMMER
'Dylan Howe makes it new. The way he plays it, it's as if Be-bop were still hot and wet from its Harlem womb - he plays time from the heart.' ROBERT WYATT
'Dylan Howe simply does all the right things.' MUSICIAN MAGAZINE
'You funky little bastard.' IAN DURY
'The best new young drummer to emerge since Phil Collins or Stewart Copeland.' YESWORLD
'Howe swings effortlessly.' **** DRUMMER MAGAZINE
'Dylan Howe, rightly acclaimed as one of the best drummers of his generation.' RONNIE SCOTTS
MIKE OUTRAM: GUITAR
Mike is based in London and has worked with Herbie Mann, Tim Garland, Carleen Anderson, Cinematic Orchestra, Martin Speake, Dave O'Higgins, Nikki Iles, Rebecca Hollweg, Jacqui Dankworth, Stan Sulzmann, Julian Argüelles and alongside guitarists Martin Taylor, Jim Mullen and John Etheridge.
He is also Guitar Professor at Trinity College of Music, The Royal Academy of Music,
Middlesex University, Thames Valley University, The Royal Welsh college of Music and Drama, Guitar-X and has given numerous workshops, clinics and summer schools internationally. He also writes for Guitarist magazine.
www.mikeoutram.com
One of the British guitar finds of recent years…Outram is a guitarist with world-class credentials THE GUARDIAN
Mike Outram is without doubt the most talented guitarist of his generation STEVE RUBIE, 606 CLUB
ROSS STANLEY: HAMMOND
Age: 25. Grew up in Marlborough, Wiltshire.
Studied at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. London.
Influences: Bill Evans | Herbie Hancock | Chick Corea | John Taylor
Played with: THe Heritage Orchestra| Jamie Cullum | Liane Carroll | Steve Howe | Jim Mullen & Guy Barker
4-7 of June - FINDAMORALE FESTIVAL 2009, HOXTON, LONDON. with SUPER double bills from Paris on 5th and 6th of June featuring 1) - HADRIEN FERAUD (Bireli Lagrene, John McLaughlin, Chick Corea) and RUMEURS 2) - LINLEY MARTHE ( Joe Zawinul, Mino Cinelu, Dave Liebman, Trilok Gurtu, Richard Galliano) Project. You will have a rare chance to see these two bands on one night for the price of one! Only at CHARLIE WRIGHT'S INTERNATIONAL (45 Pitfield Street, N1 6DA). For more info call 07918635328 or go www.myspace.com/charliewrights
Just wanted to let you know that the Peoples Music Awards 2009 Ceremony has now been confirmed for the 2nd of April.
You are herby cordially invited to attend this event and after party. To be held at Mass in Brixton, London.
This promises to be an amazing night of new-music featuring 12 of the hottest new bands in the world as voted for by you, The People!
PLUS London's Top DJ's spinning music across 3 rooms
To listen to the finalists and have your say on who wins and gets to play live at the event, please visit our myspace page and follow the link to the website.
Big Thanks - The Peoples Music Awards... The Future of New Music!
and his band ITALUBA playing two exclusive gigs at Charlie Wright's
on Sat 15th and Sun 16th of Nov as part of London Jazz Festival.
Horacio Hernandez has worked with McCoy Tyner and guitar icon Santana, yet he's revered for his ability to play four different rhythms at once in virtually any style.
Online Now!
