The London Jazz Orchestra (full line-up below) / Scott Stroman
The Vortex, London, 2 February 2025
by John Earls. Photo credits (c) John Earls, picture of Kenny Wheeler (c) Scott Stroman
Kenny Wheeler (1930-2014) was a UK-based, Canadian born composer and trumpet and flugelhorn player who left a unique and significant mark on jazz and particularly UK and European jazz. He composed and played in a number of formats and was a master of writing for the big band and jazz orchestra.
Wheeler was a founder member of the London Jazz Orchestra (now in its 34th year), one of the best and most exciting big bands around. So it was more than fitting that the LJO paid tribute to what would have been his 95th birthday with this performance of his Long Suite 2005, written for his 75th birthday tour.
Wheeler’s tunes and arrangements are wonderfully and distinctively melodic and this concert was fine testimony to that quality. Yet they often also have a melancholy element to them which can be strangely uplifting. He is supposed to have said “Sad music makes me feel happy” and this is an attribute he delivers frequently and brilliantly.
I also recall jazz bassist Dave Holland at a Kenny Wheeler tribute concert in 2015 citing another classic Wheeler quote: “I don’t say much. And when I do I don’t say much”. I guess he said it all in the music.
To my knowledge this suite has still to be recorded and released, which is a real shame. It is a continuous piece of some 40 minutes that meanders beautifully without losing thread and combines some glorious ensemble unity with solo virtuosity.
For this performance Miguel Gorodi sat in the ‘Kenny Wheeler chair’, playing the flugelhorn admirably. Brigitte Beraha, sitting next to him, provided gorgeous vocal accompaniment. Stand out solos included trombone, saxophones and double bass. There was crisp and articulate drumming throughout from the LJO debutante drummer.
Special mention should go to trumpeter Henry Lowther, an LJO stalwart and longstanding collaborator of Wheeler’s (I have previously noted how both Lowther and Wheeler played trumpet on Nick Drake’s Hazey Jane II), who is not just a solid LJO force but something of a Wheeler encyclopaedia.
A shout out too to saxophonist Pete Hurt who does so much in transcribing the work of Wheeler (and others) and keeping it alive, a fact acknowledged by LJO Musical Director, Scott Stroman, whose own enthusiasm whilst conducting this performance saw him nearly jump through the ceiling.
The first set of this concert demonstrated that the LJO still has significant composing talent in its ranks with exciting new music by pianist Alcyona Mick and bassist Calum Gourlay. It was great to see and hear a concert that contained such a thread of continuity in what the LJO does.
The music of Kenny Wheeler deserves to always be heard. I’m sure that as long as the London Jazz Orchestra is around it will be.
The London Jazz Orchestra line-up for this concert, directed by Scott Stroman, was:
Miguel Gorodi (solo part in Long Suite 2005), Luke Lane, Ed Hogben, Henry Lowther, Andre Cannier (trumpets); Martin Gladdish, Richard Pywell, Richard Foote (trombones), Yusuf Narcin (bass trombone); Matt Sulzmann (alto and soprano sax), Alyson Cawley (alto sax and clarinet), Tori Freestone (tenor sax and flute), Pete Hurt (tenor sax), Mick Foster (baritone sax and bass clarinet)
with Brigitte Beraha (vocals), Joe Garland-Johnston (guitar), Alcyona Mick (piano), Calum Gourlay (bass), Luke Tomlinson (drums)
John Earls is Director of Research at Unite the Union. He posts on Bluesky and tweets / updates his ‘X’ content at @john_earls
The London Jazz Orchestra play at The Vortex on most first Sundays of the month.
Song for Someone: The Musical Life of Kenny Wheeler by Brian Shaw and Nick Smart is published by Equinox on 14 February 2025.
Some Days Are Better: The Lost Scores by Kenny Wheeler Legacy, featuring the Royal Academy of Music Jazz Orchestra and Frost Jazz Orchestra, was released by Greenleaf Music on 31 January 2025.
Published post no.2,431 – Tuesday 4 February 2025
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