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The struggle made sonic
CHRIS SEARLE translates the fusion of four jazz maestros into a mental image of Hackney Carnival
Pat Thomas, Steve Noble and Seymour Wright play Cafe Ito [Courtesy of Pete Woodman]

Seymour Wright, Steve Noble, Pat Thomas and John Edwards
Cafe Oto, Hackney, London



JUST outside Cafe Oto, along Dalston Lane, is the huge and marvellous mural of a Hackney Carnival; all musicians soaring, all people dancing, all colours coalescing.

So I was hearing music in my head as I passed the momentous image, preparing me for the sounds I was to hear inside the Cafe Oto’s old industrial walls.

It was Derby alto saxophonist Seymour Wright, Hounslow-born bassist John Edwards and drummer and pianist from the Thames Valley, Steve Noble and Pat Thomas; all in powerful creative fettle.

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