saxophonist ned comes all the way from new york u s of a
as does collaborator phillip johnson on clarinet and sax
chris abrahams is a local hero on piano with this outfit
tonight is a very special night for sima at the sound lounge
sima = sydney improvised music association
this is the first time their new piano is used in performance
so it seems appropriate that chris abrahams has that honour
a brand-spanking new yamaha grand piano complete with price tags
i walked into a full house which rather surprised me
though thankfully another lone fan had taken over a table in front
so i had a great spot initially for the induction of the new piano
then the introduction of tonight's highly revered performer (it seems)
ned started out on a solo piece on clarinet that set the tone
fairly obviously he is a highly skilled and inventive musician
within a few bars of music he had some amazing sounds happening
significantly throat, instrument and fingers working in unison
so there was a melody, a drone and percussion all concurrent
completely absorbing to listen to and to watch for all concerned
the second tune sees the arrival on stage of his collaborators
which then just added even further dimensions to the sound
chris abrahams doing what he does best with this deftness of touch
adding flourishes of sounds mostly from the upper end of the piano
phillip johnson providing complimenting sounds on clarinet
apparantly he and ned rarely play together though are longtime friends
but for me it sounded like they do this habitually
sheet music was present but so too was an amazing connection
pre performance the lack of rhythm section had concerned me
but as with nearly every performer seen at this venue recently
a trust in the performers judgement and choice pays dividends
so tonight it was to be a virtuoso display of an unusual combination
ned several times credits new york saxophonist steve lacy
indicating this now deceased musician has had a major influence
ned himself moved comfortably between various instruments
but one in particular was quite visually and aurally stunning
a long-neck silver saxophone complete with a prong for support
so it is played quite comfortably while seated on a stool
one solo piece played using this instrument was particularly impressive
again using fingers, throat and instrument for multiple sounds
in this case working into a rapid and repetitive motif
sounding very much like the looped track from dark side of the moon
but done completely solo and with no electronica in sight or sound
throughout both sets he had both his peers coming and going
another highlight being a beautiful melodic piece with chris abrahams
by now seemingly enjoying working sounds from the new piano
in the end this turned out to be a great night at the sound lounge
a treat of a performance in front of a large and receptive audience
plenty of local musicians also spotted at various times
which always confirms the merit of the performer
plenty of cd's on display also in reception
confirming his standing in the musical world
yet again - a totally rewarding outing
