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Harpist Bzhezhinska takes inspiration from Coltranes to another level
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PETER MASON is exhilarated by an exciting, well-considered and historically minded tribute to the great Trinidadian instrument
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CHRIS SEARLE relishes the genius of pianist Alexander Hawkins, his many ensembles, and his new album
Alina Bzhezhinska
Inspiration
(Ubuntu)
LAST year was the 50th anniversary of John Coltrane's death and the 10th of his startling jazz-harpist wife Alice. They were an inspiration for London-based harpist Alina Bzhezhinska — hence the title of an album moved by her love for the couple's music.
She's accompanied on this album by three of Britain's top contemporary jazz musicians — saxophonist Tony Kofi, bassist Larry Bartley and drummer Joel Prime — and the opening track, Alice Coltrane's Wisdom Eye, begins with some serene solo work from Bzhezhinska, with only Bartley's delving bass alongside her, with her strings vibrating and singing poignantly.
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