Richard Fairhurst's Triptych

Event information

'Triptych' is a highly appropriate name for pianist Richard Fairhurst's group, since it conveys both the stylistic homogeneity of the trio and (referring as it generally does to a central painted panel flanked by two side pieces whose content is shaped by the main picture) the artistic process at work within it. Fairhurst has been been playing professionally since his teens (he was performing with Iain Ballamy at Ronnie's way before he could legally drink there) and has recorded his seventh album for the Babel label, so his confidence and assurance as both composer and performer are givens; what is particularly striking about Triptych, however (completed by bassist Jasper Høiby and drummer Chris Vatalaro), is the subtle cohesiveness, hardening where required into fierce interactiveness, of the group sound.

Fairhurst has always been a vigorously rhythmic player, often taking a relatively straightforward repeated muscular phrase as a starting point for his compositions, and a piece such as the first-set closer on this occasion, 'Dense Fur', perfectly exemplified this approach: a simple rising four-chord motif was at its heart, but the powerfully lithe bass comments of Høiby and the brisk whirr and robust, multi-textured percussive effects of Vatalaro (his choice of brushes/sticks providing something of a master class in sensitive but propulsive drumming) provided the perfect setting for Fairhurst's pleasantly cluttered, punchy yet buoyant playing. Other pieces from the aforementioned forthcoming CD were also aired, showcasing not only the trio's controlled vigour, but also their skill in maintaining tension during the odd rubato passage, the relative freedom of which contrasted tellingly with the occasional lighter, dancingly lyrical moment. An absorbing, unfussily virtuo!
sic display from three classy musicians' Chris Parker

Renza Bô are a quintet from Normandy, France that play modern jazz, swing, groove and improv and have been taking Europe by storm with their festival appearances. A band to watch for the future.