Artist: George Haslam, Richard Leigh Harris, Stefano Pastor, Harry Beckett & Steve Kershaw
Title: Holywell Session: Live in Oxford
Cat Number: SLAMCD324
Year released: 2007
Format: CD & all digital platforms
Barcode: 5028386234258
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Free improv session from saxophonist George Haslam, violinist Stefano Pastor, pianist Richard Leigh Harris, bassist Steve Kershaw, with the quintet completed by legendary Brit jazz trumpeter Harry Beckett.
“For almost 30 years I have toured worldwide having the great enjoyment of hearing, meeting and playing with some amazing musicians, so what a treat when such a musician comes to Oxford to play with me.
Although this was Stefano Pastor‘s first visit to England, he and his music was instantly very much at home with the Holywell musicians. This empathy was felt in the performance and evident in the music.
The occasion was made especially memorable by the appearance of one of the truly great figures of British jazz and improvisation, Harry Beckett – one of those special musicians whose presence is marked not only by his musical contribution but also by the influence and inspiration he imparts to his fellows.” – George Haslam
George Haslam: baritone saxophone, tarogato
Harry Beckett: trumpet, flugelhorn
Stefano Pastor: violin
Richard Leigh Harris: piano
Steve Kershaw: double bass
“The trio tracks, with Steve Kershaw and Richard Lee Harris, throb with introspection Harris letting each piano sonority float and disappear before offering another. Check out the way he ends “Part 3”, the quietest low-register rumble fading away into nothing, or his gorgeous opening to “Part 4″…It is always refreshing to hear Harry Beckett’s airy but forceful contribution, and he adds a lot to this fine performance.” – Marc Medwin, Cadence
“Exquisite in its flowing, the music created by this quintet surprises for its melodic inspiration and amazes for the magic mutual understanding between the five musicians…A quintet able to fly from swing to cool, bringing the listener in a travel from California to New Orleans and vice versa with great gracefulness.” – Gennaro Fucile, Quaderni d’Altri Tempi
“Over 25 years after Beckett and Haslam first appeared on stage together we finally have the possibility to hear the two musicians on CD. In addition, this live recording also includes the master Italian violinist Stefano Pastor; the quintet is completed by Richard Leigh Harris exploiting the depth of the Holywell Room’s grand piano and the resounding and inventive double bass of Steve Kershaw.” – Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
All the tracks are free improvisations by Haslam, Beckett, Pastor, Harris and Kershaw.
Recorded 17 September 2006, the Holywell Room, Oxford.
Recording engineers Eric Smith and Alan Howell.
Mixing and mastering by Stefano Pastor.