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‘I DON'T THINK IT'S AN ECLECTIC APPROACH, JUST COLOURFUL'
Kenny Mathieson catches up with Julian Argiielles as he fulfills an ambition to collaborate with one of his heroes, guitarist John Abercrombie
axophonist Julian Argiielles is originally from
the Birmingham area. but has spent a lot of his
time in liast l.othian since moving to Scotland live years ago to join his partner. singer (‘athie Rae. He tnay be an adopted local. but his work on the jam scene is genuinely international. both geographically and in terms of his collaborations.
The latest of these is a collaboration with the great American guitarist John :‘\bercrombie. an all too rare visitor to these parts. Their 'l‘une l'p tour will provide audiences around Scotland with a chance to check otit what promises to be a fascinating meeting of mtisical minds. Abercrombie will link up with the saxophonist‘s trio. which already features two top American players. bassist Michael liormanek and drummer Tom Rainey.
‘l've been working with the trio for a number of
years and I thought it would be nice to do a tour with a guest.‘ says Julian. ‘l've known John for a long time. and I also knew that he had played with Mike and Tom. so I thought it would be a nice quartet. I've been a fan of his music since I first started getting into jazz. as a teenager. so it will be a pleasure to play with one of my musical heroes.‘
Argtielles has been active on the recording front of
late. turning out a fascinating disc of solo wind music. Inner \bices. and contributing in full measure to the sparkling duo encounters on Brian Kellock‘s The Nine Mile Burn .S'essions.
A further disc. Momentu. featuring Julian with the Frankfurt Radio Bigband. is due for release from
60 THE LIST 30 Apr—l-i Mav 2009
Basho Records at the end of May.
The sa.\ophonist has a deserved reputation for
having an original and distinctive musical voice that stands out in any setting. and it is precisely that quality that he tnost admires in Abercrombie's work. "l'hat’s the thing that appeals to tne most about any musicians I work with. It's not a stylistic thing. I primarily look for a musician who has his or her own voice. John is an “open" sort of player. like Tom and Michael. I think they all feel comfortable playing in different vibes: complicated harmonic stuff. free improv. grooves. whatever. And I like these different colours in music. I don‘t think it‘s an eclectic approach. jtist colourful.‘
'l‘he saxophonist has been in New York preparing for the tour with the other three musicians and developing new material that will lend itself to the particular tnttsical qualities of this combination.
‘l‘ve written some new intisic specifically with John in mind. Of course. because of all the wonderful recordings he has made over the years I know his sound pretty well. and I‘ve tried to write stuff that he will feel comfortable playing.
‘I still have a few extra things I‘m hoping to write before the tour gets underway. As well as the new stuff. we'll be playing some trio things which will work with the addition of John..
Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, Sun 3 May; Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, Tue 5 May; Byre Theatre, St Andrews, Fri 8 May.
www.‘list.co.uklmusic
5i: Girls Aloud The world's
greatest girl band of the modern age display their (or at least Xenomania's) uncanny knack with an infectious pop hook. SECC, Glasgow, Fri 8 8 Sat 9 May. (Rock 8 Pop)
* Threshold HouseBoys Choir Peter Christopherson (Throbbing Gristle/Coil) makes a rare Scottish appearance with his new band. Stereo, Glasgow, Sun 3 May. (Rock 8 Pop)
x'White Lies Dark brooding indie. See feature, page 16. Barrow/and, Glasgow, Mon 4 May. (Flock 8 Pop)
=2: Gallows Take-no-prisoners hardcore from England's most brutal and dissatisfied punks. ABC, Glasgow, Fri 8 May (Rock 8 Pop)
>i= Julian Arguelles See preview, left. Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, Sun 3 May; Queen '3 Hall, Edinburgh, Tue 5 May; Byre Theatre, St Andrews, Fri 8 May. (Jazz)
* Beepfest Jangling guitars. soaring harmonies and psychedelic folk collide at this all-day party including Aberteldy, The Beep Seals, Duglas T Stewart and many more of a similar ilk. Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow, Sat 9 May (Rock 8 Pop)
>l= Tigerlest Starting out as a Dunfermline based celebration of indie, but now spreading across Edinburgh, Duntermline and Aberdeen, featuring James Yorkston, Amusement Parks on Fire, ballboy and more. Various venues, Edinburgh, Wed 6-Sun 10 May; Carnegie Hall, Dunferm/ine, Wed 13-Sat 16 May (Rock 8 Pop)
>l< Sick Kids Sunday Tons of bands (Withered Hand, Found, Come on Gang and Broken Records are just the tip of the musical iceberg) give their time for a worthy cause. The GRV, Edinburgh, Sun 70 May (Rock 8 Pop)