Stan Sulzmann’s Neon Orchestra whip up a storm at Watermill Jazz
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
A leading figure of British jazz scene since the early 1970s, Stan Sulzmann’s outstanding artistry on both tenor and soprano saxophone was recognised early in his career by no less than John Taylor and Kenny Wheeler, both of whom involved him in their various projects.
Sulzmann himself is always quick to acknowledge and encourage his fellow musicians and in recent years has arranged for big band many compositions that his colleagues originally wrote for their own small groups. Not content with that, he formed the Neon Orchestra to perform his arrangements and, where possible, feature some of the composers playing their own pieces.
The Orchestra draws from younger generation of British jazz musicians alongside well-established figures and their opener at Watermill Jazz, Clockmaker by the superb Manchester-based guitarist Mike Walker featured up-coming guitarist Alex Munk, a former Yamaha Jazz Scholar. Sulzmann’s arrangement allowed space for fine solos by Noel Langley (trumpet), Martin Hathaway (alto sax) and James Allsopp (baritone sax), but the hot seat was reserved for guitarist Munk who, clearly aware of the composer’s long shadow, unfolded an intelligent solo with pleasing digressions and surprises, that built to a roistering conclusion and demonstrated that he too, like Walker, had forged his own individual style.
Alfredo, written by another of the UK’s leading guitarists, John Parricelli, rested on a gentle but persistent Latin rhythm and featured the lyrical trumpet of Robbie Robson and a tenor solo from the arranger himself. Drummer Tim Giles contributed imaginative fills on brushes, supported by brass punctuations. The early 20th century Shropshire poet and novelist Mary Webb was pianist Nikki Isles’ inspiration for her lovely composition Westerly. With its rolling 3/4 rhythm, it hints of both English folk song American Gospel and these influences were reflected in Nikki’s pastoral piano solo and Josh Arcoleo’s (above) gospel-tinged tenor solo. With their broad palette of instrumental colours and interesting melodic ideas, Sulzmann’s arrangements reward close listening and in featuring compositions by his peers in a big-band setting, he is mining a rich vein of talent.
– Charles Alexander
– Photos by Jon Frost