Geoff Simkins/Gareth Williams Quartet take fleet-fingered flights at The Verdict
Monday, April 20, 2015
Spring heralds the welcome arrival of many elusive species to the coast; this is the second appearance this year by rarely-sighted Sussex altoist Geoff Simkins (pictured top), the first being his memorable double-header with Bobby Wellins at the inaugural South Coast Jazz Festival in January.
Tonight he’s reunited with stellar band-mates Gareth Williams and Martin France, the latter fresh from his recent recorded collaboration with John Taylor and Dave Holland.
A murmured count-in, and they break into a fast-paced group improvisation that only reveals itself as ‘How Deep Is The Ocean’ in it’s closing stages. Simkins is a master at work, utterly in control – he begins cool and unhurried, playing seamless legato melodies that break suddenly into effortless double time runs as he builds in intensity in tandem with France’s churning polyrhythms before passing the baton to Williams, who picks it up with a display of extravagant Tyner-esque virtuosity.
The set list includes seldom-heard material by Simkin’s stylistic antecedent Lee Konitz, alongside tunes by Earl Zindars, Lennie Tristano and Thelonious Monk. Simkin’s tone is a thing of wonder: rounded, burnished and even, with a West-Coast sweetness concealing an acid bite. It’s shown to stunning effect on a transcendent reading of the Gordon Jenkins ballad ‘Goodbye’, but is equally as intoxicating when coupled with his speed and accuracy, as he takes several unaccompanied choruses of ‘Cherokee’ at breakneck pace.
The excellently matched line-up is impeccably anchored by bassist Simon Woolf, whose solos are models of beautifully precise construction and impressive upper-register technique, and provides perfect support for Simkins. If the latter’s approach is rooted in the poise and restraint of the ‘Cool School’, he’s unruffled by the assertive modernism of William’s playing or France’s loud, restless drumming; on every tune he takes flight and soars, to the delight of the capacity crowd. A recording of this well-matched band would be welcome, or at least another sighting of it before the season’s over.
– Eddie Myer