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Courtney Pine

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The Jazz Cafe
Parkway, Camden, NW1 7PG

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Description: The saxophonist, OBE and jazz statesman with his trademark blend of jazz, reggae, hip hop and drum'n'bass.


Phone: 0870060 3777
Website: www.jazzcafelive.com

Trains: Tube: Camden Town Overground network

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Pining for subtlety

By Jack Massarik, Evening Standard  18.12.07
 
Courtney Pine

Magnificent: Courtney Pine needs to learn the value of subtlety

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At 43 Courtney Pine is a mature saxophonist with magnificent technique. All he needs to learn is the value of subtlety and restraint. As it is, his shows are largely empty displays of virtuosity and remorseless power.

Even for listeners familiar with his material, it becomes a chastening experience, like visiting an old friend in hospital while somebody in the next bed is having a screaming fit.

Facing a less than full house he did not hold back, blowing at full power from the moment he marched on stage, his upraised soprano sax sounding the rallying call of a contemporary pied piper.

Roaring funk-rock versions of Mercy Mercy, Sunny, Moanin' and Osibisa found his frontline partner, Cuban violinist Omar Puente, punctuating his solos with similar fast-fiddling tricks.

Behind them, bassist Darren Taylor, drummer Robert Fordjour, guitarist Cameron Pierre and organist Chris Jerome squared their shoulders and dug in. Fordjour was grafting particularly hard, punishing his kit virtually without a break.

For jazz lovers the most rewarding moments came on Pierre's guitar feature, John Leslie, an octaved tribute to the great Wes Montgomery, and Round Midnight, when Courtney produced a surprisingly beautiful sound from his EWI reed synthesiser.

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Jack, just keep those powerful reviews coming.

- Peter Ind, Twickenham, UK


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