Jazz breaking news: Yuri Honing Goes Goldfrapp At Pizza
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Award-winning Dutch saxophonist, composer and bandleader Yuri Honing (pictured left) returns this month with his new album, True, that was released on Challenge records on 17 September.
Featuring seven originals alongside jazz interpretations of ‘Paper Bag’ by electro-pop group Goldfrapp and David Bowie’s ‘Bring Me the Disco King’, the album eschews Honig’s more muscular, fusion-edged approach of previous recordings, and instead focuses on a more spacious, melancholic atmospherics, with emotionally charged results. The fine band on the album includes ECM-associated pianist Wolfert Brederode, drummer Joost Lijbaart and double bassist Ruben Samama, all of who make a rare UK appearance when they launch the album at London’s Dean Street Pizza Express Jazz Club, this Thursday 20 September.
Honig has always looked beyond the standards repertoire for inspiration, first making an impact with his 1996 album Star Tracks, which featured songs by The Police and Abba interpreted by his jazz trio of bassist Tony Overwater and drummer Joost Lijbaart. This was also the same year Herbie Hancock released his album The New Standard, which subsequently gave the green light for jazz artists to take contemporary songs and give them a jazz twist. Honig has also worked with the likes of highly respected Dutch improv pianist Misha Mengelberg and Lebanese singer Rima Khcheich, as well as with US heavyweights such as Pat Metheny, Charlie Haden, Paul Bley, Gary Peacock and the late great jazz drummer, Paul Motian.
For more info go to www.pizzaexpresslive.co.uk
– Mike Flynn