Live Review: Preston/Glasgow/Lowe at The Verdict
Preston/Glasgow/Lowe/Lockrane
The Verdict, Brighton 25/10/13
The contemporary jazz trio of guitarist David Preston, six-string bassist Kevin Glasgow, and drummer Laurie Lowe embarked on their UK tour with a sensational gig at The Verdict with guest virtuoso flautist Gareth Lockrane.
The trio could easily garner comparison with the likes of The Neil Cowley Trio and other contemporary ensembles, as they laid down some driving, energetic grooves in a variety of time signatures, with complex unison passages and tightly-woven arrangements.
Starting off with the composition Silvertide, they showed their intense interplay and expert musicianship (this piece is well worth a watch on YouTube).
Bassist Kevin Glasgow contributed a number of the compositions throughout the evening, such as Elephant & Castle, and the intriguing Sigur, Scruff & Shadow, named after three rats that he once shared a practice room with. Glasgow’s unique compositions were a great vehicle for Lockrane’s spirited and engaging flute playing, particularly on the piece The Priory, named after Sainte Marie de La Tourette, a priory near Lyon designed by Le Corbusier and Iannis Xenakis.
The Olivier Messiaen composition O Sancrum Convivium worked really well in this setting and provided a serene contrast to the other pieces that were played. Check out the trio version on their website.
A fantastic evening of original music ended with calls for an encore from a small but appreciative audience, who were further enthralled by S’not Meridian, another intricate and energetic original from guitarist David Preston.
If you’re at all interested in British contemporary jazz then I urge you to see this band in a live setting.
Preston-Glasgow-Lowe are touring the UK throughout October and November. Check their website for details.
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