Concert review - A Tribute to Gil Evans by Michael Gibbs
Gil Evans, most famous for his classic collaborations with trumpeter Miles Davis, was the greatest arranger in modern jazz, and he would have been 100 this year.
CBSO Centre, Birmingham
Concert review by John Watson
Gil Evans, most famous for his classic collaborations with trumpeter Miles Davis, was the greatest arranger in modern jazz, and he would have been 100 this year.
On Saturday Michael Gibbs, the man many consider to be the greatest living jazz composer and arranger, created an immensely satisfying tribute to Evans' music, performed by the 12-strong Hans Koller Ensemble at the CBSO Centre.
Gibbs, who has collaborated with countless jazz stars as well as singer-songwriters including Joni Mitchell, will be 75 this year, but shows absolutely no diminution in his creative powers. He adapted original Evans works with great success.
Outstanding pieces included Bilbao Song, Wait Till You See Her, Spring Is Here, St Louis Blues and Las Vegas Tango, with superb soloing from trombonist Martin Williams and saxophonist Julian Seagel.
Gibbs' own arrangements occupied the second half of the concert, with pieces including Carla Bley's Ida Lupino and Steve Swallow's Falling Grace.
