Photo by Kim Macari
By Kim Macari
The full house who turned out for trumpeter Dave Douglas and pianist Uri Caine at Howard Assembly Room, their only UK appearance, waited in quiet anticipation to hear how these two internationally renowned improvisers would approach a duo gig. It's an interesting format to hear jazz musicians perform in. Exposed, risky and with has the potential go in any number of directions, it felt like the perfect setting to hear creative musicians.
The pair opened the concert with a medley of 300 year old North American folk tunes. Gentle and hymn-like, Uri Caine's lightness of touch and the warm, airy sound produced by Dave Douglas conveyed a sense of reverence - a feeling that returned many times throughout the evening. This was followed by an original of Douglas's, Ham Fist. Proving that they could switch directions with ease, Douglas introduced the angular melody before being joined by Caine.
Read the rest here.