Alexander Hawkins and Evan Parker's collaborative album, 'Leaps in Leicester', is a masterful demonstration of free improvisation and European free jazz. Released on 8 April 2016 via Clean Feed, this captivating record showcases the duo's technical skill and inventive dialogue.
As a self-taught improviser and composer, Alexander Hawkins brings a unique perspective to the table, making him the perfect partner for the renowned saxophonist Evan Parker. Although they have worked together in various formations in the past, 'Leaps in Leicester' marks their first explorations as a duo. The result is a remarkable album that further solidifies Parker's sequence of duets with pianists, following in the footsteps of notable collaborations with Matthew Shipp and Sylvie Courvoisier.
The album features four tracks: 'Jump Start', 'Gambade', 'Capriole', and 'The Shimmy (For Tony Marsh)', which together create a rich and immersive listening experience lasting 1 hour and 9 minutes. With Hawkins on piano and Parker on tenor saxophone, the duo weaves a complex and engaging soundscape that showcases their exceptional musicianship.
As established players on the London and European free jazz scene, Alexander Hawkins and Evan Parker bring together their distinctive styles and generational perspectives to create an album of remarkable insight and technical skill. 'Leaps in Leicester' is a testament to the duo's masterful ability to craft an inventive and captivating dialogue, making it an essential listen for fans of free improvisation and avant-garde jazz.
