SLAMCD2115 Paul Dunmall & Kevin Figes – Duos

The first duo recording between towering free jazz saxophonist Paul Dunmall and the highly creative saxophonist Kevin Figes, sees them perform ten improvised pieces using an assortment of instruments, including various saxophones, clarinets and flutes.

With no pre-composed themes or motifs, what you hear are two master musicians in the moment of creativity. The wholly improvised conversations seem to encompass and distil the history of jazz, moving between free and contemporary idioms with folk and avant-garde influences drifting in and out of the pieces. The differing configurations offer distinctive moods, tones and sounds. ‘Duos’ affords us the chance to enjoy a unique convergence of two brilliant musical minds.

Paul Dunmall is widely recognised as one of the most powerful and distinctive reed players to have emerged from the UK. He has been a leading figure in UK free improvisation for decades, including 20 years in the ground-breaking quartet Mujician.

Kevin Figes studied with Elton Dean and Tim Garland. In the early 1990s, he moved to Bristol and began a long and fruitful association with Keith Tippett. A supremely versatile musician, he has played everything from funk, Brazilian music, jazz-rock and avant-garde music.

‘Duos’ is available on a limited edition 4-panel digipak CD with sleeve notes by Daniel Spicer (The Wire / Jazzwise).

Paul Dunmall: tenor and soprano saxophones, clarinet, flute and alto flute
Kevin Figes: alto, soprano and baritone saxophones, flute and alto flute

Press Quotes:

“Dunmall and Figes improvise a suite full of colour, texture and detail that is thoroughly compelling.” – Nick Lea, Jazz Views

“With two single-note melodic instruments there is always a sense of conversation while the mix of tones and range also make it a study in texture…they avoid riffing, rather exploring a stream of consciousness together in forms ranging from almost folk-like melodic phrasing to neo-classical impressionism and cascading bop. You sense a mutual respect and seriousness of purpose.” – Tony Benjamin, Jazzwise

“Tenor And Alto Saxophone #1 beautifully exemplifies mutual understanding, Clarinet And Alto Flute #2 mines a seam of lyricism at odds with established understandings of the notion.” – Nic Jones, Jazz Journal

All tracks composed by Paul Dunmall & Kevin Figes
Recorded 23rd August 2022
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Jim Barr at J & J Studio, Bristol

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