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London,

Barry Harris

Description: The American pianist plays jazz standards and modern tunes.



Rating: 4 out of 5 Jack Massarik's rating
Rating: 5 out of 5

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Pizza Express Jazz Club Dean Street, W1D 3RW

Phone: 0207437 9595

Website: www.pizzaexpresslive.co.uk

Extra info: Food, Air Conditioning

Transport: Tube: Tottenham Court Road Transport for London

Jazz trio prove a killer combination

Barry Harris
Barry Harris: A twinkling septuagenarian and jazz teacher

By Jack Massarik
11 May 2007


This refreshingly no-nonsense trio should be billed Reservoir Dogs, since it boasts Mr Brown (Mancunian Steve) on drums, Mr Green (Londoner Dave) on bass and "Mr Black" (Detroit's great Barry Harris) on piano. If you like your neo-bop untainted by monochordal modes, jazz-lite melodies or brain-numbing jazz-rock beats, this killer combination might save your sanity.

Harris is a twinkling septuagenarian of the Bud Powell school who cut his teeth with Coleman Hawkins and Charlie Parker, and has recorded with stars galore. A respected theorist and teacher whose students include established jazz professionals, he's teaching throughout the weekend (details: 020 7435 2980) which might explain why his performance last night was more businesslike and less conversational than usual.

Without preamble, Harris led his group through a masterly set of standards. Body and Soul, Prelude to a Kiss, Like Someone in Love and Over the Rainbow all brimmed with personal chord voicings, while Just One of Those Things, taken very fast, was burning all the way. After two superior Fifties blues themes, Willow Grove and Dance of the Infidels, and Barry's bossa, For Nascimento, there wasn't an untapped foot in the house.

Until Monday (020 7734 3220).

Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.

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