By: Roy Stevens - Mon, Jan 17, 2011

I always approach Gilad Atzmon's concerts with excited anticipation, knowing to expect the unexpected. Such was the case on Sunday evening when Gilad brought his Orient House Ensemble to the the Chapel at No.1, Shakespeare Street as part of his "The Tide Has Changed" 2011 Spring?! Tour.

Many followers have an ambivalent attitude towards Gilad both in respect of his maverick political views and his often bizarre and edgy approach to his music but what cannot be denied is his prodigious technique and his absolute passion in everything he does.

Gilad, on reeds, has assembled a truly top notch quartet for his new ensemble with the creative Frank Harrison on keyboard, Yaron Stavi on bass and Enzo Zirilli on drums standing in quite seamlessly for Eddie Hick. The repertoire for the first set was richly varied with Gilad's original and uninhibited compositions - a mixture of haunting Middle Eastern sounds, sublime love-songs, German oompah band material and sudden bursts into stormy riotous shock-waves. The second set featured an excellent medley of jazz standards which were given the unique Gilad treatment. 

The audience was spellbound by a band displaying astounding inventiveness and virtuosity led by a musician who must rank as one of the best on the contemporary jazz scene. I once saw a review of Gilad which read, "A man who has done so much to enhance the cultural landscape of the UK in recent years." - I cannot argue with that.

On Sunday 23 Jan 2011 Stratford Jazz presents another quartet that isn't afraid to push the boundaries of jazz music when pianist Steve Tromans brings his talented band. Jonathen Mayer, who is forging quite a name for himself on the contemporary jazz scene, is featured on sitar. The gig commences at 8pm and a charge of £6 will be made at the door. For more info visit www.stratfordjazz.org.uk

Accessibility: All documents (PDFs) & external links open in a new window