David Gordon Trio 'Alexander Scriabin's Ragtime Band'

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Last Show: Sunday 23 rd October 2016

PizzaExpress Jazz Club (Soho)

The David Gordon Trio returns to the PizzaExpress to present material from its latest CD 'Alexander Scriabin's Ragtime Band', a celebration of the great Russian composer’s music seen through a kaleidoscope of jazz, Latin and other influences. Featuring the awesome Yaron Stavi on double bass and the infectious rhythms of Paul Cavaciuti on drums, the music gives free rein to the boundless imagination, humour and brilliance of the trio’s leader, David Gordon, ‘a musician of dazzling range’, Mojo

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"One of the finest trio records I have heard in a very long time … run and buy!’"

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Alexander Scriabin's Ragtime Band

1915: the world in turmoil. People everywhere have gone dancing mad. The transatlantic trade in musical styles continues unabated.

  • In New Orleans, Jelly Roll Morton's tinkering with ragtime and blues signals the dawn of a new creation: jazz!
  • In New York, Russian émigré Irving Berlin is churning out hit after hit.
  • In Paris, Debussy experiments with syncopation and jazz harmony, as cakewalk and tango fever sweep the French capital;
  • In Moscow, the death of the great Russian piano-poet, mystic, synaesthete and monomaniac Alexander Scriabin.

In their latest project the David Gordon Trio brings these musical strands together to create an amazing tapestry of music from this time: boogie-woogie, tango and choro rub shoulders with jazz interpretations of Scriabin's miniatures - his billets-doux to eternity - seen through the prism of popular music of the time.

The David Gordon Trio’s music is characterized by groove, wit, melody and improvisational freedom. They have appeared often on BBC Radio 3, at King’s Place, and Copenhagen’s Jazzhouse, and are regularly given airplay on jazz radio programmes around the world.

Pianist, composer and harpsichordist David Gordon regularly, expertly and seamlessly steps from one genre to another, placing his own musical stamp wherever he goes. Other than the Trio, his projects include the experimental jazz quartet RipRap, the jazz/baroque group Respectable Groove, and regular collaborations with Jacqui Dankworth and Christian Garrick. As soloist/director he has appeared with both Norwegian and London Chamber Orchestras.  David was specially commissioned by the latter to write a concerto for the trio + orchestra, premiered in 2013 at Cadogan Hall, London. Said the orchestra’s conductor Christopher Warren-Green to the packed-out hall, ‘I have played with many great musicians, but tonight I have shared the stage with one of England’s finest musicians and composers – David Gordon.’

With Jim Mullen, Donovan, Tina May, Barbara Thompson, Christie Hennessy, Annie Whitehead and Mornington Lockett amongst the musicians he has worked with, Berklee-trained drummer Paul Cavaciuti is one of the most thoughtful and knowledgeable drummers anywhere, his sense of fun and crisp, driving rhythm making his playing irresistible.

Double bass player Yaron Stavi studied in Berlin and played with various orchestras, under Pierre Boulez, Ivan Fischer and others.  Now in London he is a member of both the award-winning Gilad Atzmon’s Orient House Ensemble and legendary French accordionist Richard Galliano’s quartet. Other credits include Nigel Kennedy, Larry Coryell, Jarek Smietana, Leszek Mozdzer, Robert Wyatt and Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour.

Band Lineup

David Gordon (piano)

Yaron Stavi (double bass)

Paul Cavaciuti (drums)