Trio HLK with Evelyn Glennie
To the lovely Stoller Hall Thursday for the exciting and intriguing improvisers Trio HLK with Evelyn Glennie who has been collaborating with them since 2018.
They deconstruct and recompose both jazz and classical pieces in an incredibly original and unusual way. Wasn’t sure what to expect but they didn’t disappoint.
They were clearly very pleased to be performing live after so long and there was a warm welcome for Dame Evelyn Glennie to add to the atmosphere.
I must confess I am not a devotee of jazz but had come with a very open mind. The group performed a combination of original compositions, reconstructions of Miles Davis and Thelonius Monk well known pieces and some classical works. There were some solo parts, including a stunning performance from the drummer, a drum solo which left the audience open mouthed ( we were informed afterwards he had played 4 different tempos at once! ) and a percussion duet with him and Dame Evelyn. The pianist during one piece played 2 instruments at once at different tempos with each hand, stunning to watch and listen to.
The musicians were, at times, utterly absorbed in their playing and it made for a most entertaining performance. The virtuosity was magnificent from all the musicians and Dame Evelyn charmed us all with a wonderful solo playing a circular metal instrument called a ‘halo’ similar to a steel drum sound. The sound was crisp and clear, the best acoustics in the Stoller as usual.
The audience were clearly rapt from the start.
It really was a captivating evening and I would highly recommend seeing them perform.
Thanks to box office, FOH and hospitality staff at the Stoller, always charming and helpful.
Christine Ince for Ancoats Plus
