Description
The chordless trio is a noble tradition in jazz, offering an uncompromising freedom of expression to those bold enough to take on the mantle, it's a challenge that Ferg Ireland clearly relishes. On this second outing with his trio, Ireland, one of the busiest bassists on the London scene, reunites him with his equally in-demand colleagues and co-creators Nathaniel Facey on alto saxophone and first-call stylistic omnivore James Maddren on drums. Alive In London presents the band captured live at London's Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho in front of a capacity crowd, with all the raw unfiltered energy and immediacy that are the hallmarks of master improvisors.
All the songs bar two are Ferg Ireland originals and capture him exploring new avenues of creativity within the strict but paradoxically liberating confines of the format. "I wasn't interested in playing conventional linear solos, instead I wanted to write bass parts that suggest and support harmony, using the whole bass as a compositional instrument. I'm definitely a harmony guy; you know, that's one of the things that excites me the most." The result is a set of tunes that explore a wide-ranging territory of different melodies, rhythms, and shades of emotional intensity, while still hanging together in a coherent unity of expression.
Alive In London is the sound of three utterly compatible musicians, rejoicing in the heritage of the music while unafraid to push hard against the boundaries "James and Nathaniel have exactly the same fire in their playing, and having that amount of intensity in a group that's smaller makes the group feel bigger." says Ferg.
Delivered by three master musicians at the height of their powers, Alive In London moves from edge-of-the-seat intensity to solemn beauty and back, and commands and rewards the listeners' attention at every moment.
