Tommaso Starace Harmony Less Quartet

Unlike many a good session that takes time to warm up, this one burst into life right from the start with a wonderful Tommaso solo on ‘Pass a Good Time’ which was to set the pattern for the whole evening. The interaction between all the musicians was spellbinding with a wealth of creative improvisation, with each solo attempting new heights. This was cutting edge jazz rooted in the Be Bop era and a privilege to experience. Although as expected many of the tunes were from the Harmony Less Quartet’s album like ‘Touch and Go’, ‘Medusa’s Charm’, Narrow Escape’, ‘Fugue in Eb’, ‘Grand Central’ and ‘Like Someone in Love’ we were also treated to renderings of ‘Speak Low’ and Billy Strayhorn’s ‘Isfahan’ previously heard on Tommaso’s 2009 album ‘Don’t Forget’. A feast of jazz from saxophone masters who appear to grow in stature every time they visit Chichester. All this without a piano that could have been quite challenging but for everything being beautifully laced together with Alec’s wonderful bass and Chris’s superb drumming in addition to their outstanding solos. The sound balance for the whole evening could not have been better, with thanks to Ken, the CJC sound engineer. An evening of near perfection with more than a hint of raw enthusiasm from all concerned.

Photos from the event