Jazz review: Tommy Smith and Jacob Karlzon/Brass Jaw

Published on Friday 7 August 2009 19:41

TOMMY SMITH AND JACOB KARLZON **** THE HUB, EDINBURGH BRASS JAW **** THE LOT, EDINBURGH

ANOTHER fine double demonstration of the current strength of Scottish jazz talent. Saxophonist Tommy Smith's occasional pairings with Swedish pianist Jacob Karlzon have their origins in the Islay Jazz Festival, and although opportunities to meet are infrequent, the partnership is showing clear signs of development from an already high standard.

Smith's first act was to tear up a lead sheet for one of his pieces he decided not to play, although he later said he regretted the decision, given the difficulty of Karlzon's music. The latter's material (plus a couple of standards – which got some unorthodox treatment) dominated their set, with Smith's only compositional contribution coming in their penultimate tune, the folk-infused Celtic Warrior. But in musical terms this was a classic meeting of equals.

The layers of complexity in Karlzon's music proved meat and drink to both players. Smith's imaginative flights on tenor saxophone pushed the boundaries of instantaneous musical thought and instrumental possibility in gripping fashion, while the Swede played almost a parallel improvisation rather than accompaniment, and unleashed his own fertile imagination when he had the solo spotlight.

Brass Jaw rang the changes of the saxophone quartet concept a while back by recruiting trumpet ace Ryan Quigley to link up with Paul Towndrow (alto), Konrad Wiszniewski (tenor) and Allon Beauvoisin (baritone). Quigley's dynamic soloing and the timbre of the trumpet give the group a unique feel, backed up by imaginative arrangements that interwove the instrumental voices in compelling fashion.

They mixed their own compositions with intricately arranged standards in a concert that was as impressive as it was enjoyable.