John Fordham 

Kwartet: Seventh Daze – review

This is unpretentiously joyous music-making, often very reminiscent of 1950s contrapuntal jazz, writes John Fordham
  
  


In the newly formed Kwartet, saxophonists Tim Whitehead and Tony Woods go for a straight repertoire – Rodgers and Hart's My Romance, Charlie Parker's Confirmation and Dave Brubeck's In Your Own Sweet Way, alongside original folk and contemporary-jazz themes. It's unpretentiously joyous music-making, often very reminiscent of 1950s contrapuntal jazz featuring two-horn front lines, and the contrast between Woods' restraint and Whitehead's rugged vigour keeps the mix simmering. Whitehead's Kristina, written for his daughter, has a delectable sax/bass unison theme, the steady 5/4 whirl of the folk- dance Dilemma reflects Woods' deepest affections, My Romance features the two saxes seamlessly interwoven, and the bebop classic Confirmation rattles along with a nimble, knowing relish. It's old wine in new bottles, but engagingly done.

• This article was amended on 23 June 2012. The original said Rogers and Hart. This has been corrected.

 

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