Frank London - trumpet
Greg Wall - tenor saxophone
Robert Piket -piano
Hilliard Green - bass
Newman Taylor Baker - drums
Hear our interview with Frank London
Recently diagnosed with myelofibrosis, an extremely rare blood cancer, London decided to release Spirit Stronger Than Blood as a celebration of life. After a serious battle, Sir Frank (he was knighted by the government of Hungary!) has gained the upper hand and is once again touring the world, composing, and playing better than ever. This concert is the official CT release of the new release on ESP-Disc.
"Encompassing six originals, the program kicks off with “Let There Be Peace”, an eternal prayer whose modal jazz appeal evokes the elated spirit and pure fire of Pharaoh Sanders. London pairs beautifully with saxophonist Greg Wall in the frontline, well supported by the rhythm section of pianist Marilyn Lerner, bassist Hilliard Greene, and Matthew Shipp Trio’s drummer Newman Taylor Baker.
The swinging modalism of “Resilience”, which London dedicates to the late trumpeter Lester Bowie, serves the burning saxophone outpours of Wall, who, very much in the foreground here, works on top of Lerner’s unceasing harmonies. The title track, “Spirit Stronger Than Blood”, is heartbreakingly introduced by piano and trumpet in a meditative rubato passage that soon gives way to a 3/4 rhythmic flux delicately underpinned by bass and drums. Imbued with an encouraging, positive energy, this number ends with emotive trumpet wails conveying both beauty and sorrow with dramatic flair.” Filipe Freitas, Jazz Trail
Trumpeter/composer FRANK LONDON is a member of the Klezmatics, Hasidic New Wave, The Elders, and has performed with John Zorn, LL Cool J, Mel Torme, Lester Bowieπs Brass Fantasy, LaMonte Young, They Might Be Giants, David Byrne, Jane Siberry, Ben Folds 5, Mark Ribot, Maurice El Medioni and Gal Costa, and is featured on over 100 cds. His own recordings include INVOCATIONS (cantorial music); Frank Londonπs Klezmer Brass Allstarsπ DI SHIKERE KAPELYE and BROTHERHOOD OF BRASS; NIGUNIM and THE ZMIROS PROJECT (Jewish mystical songs, with Klezmatics vocalist Lorin Sklamberg); THE DEBT (film and theater music); THE SHEKHINA BIG BAND; the soundtrack to THE SHVITZ; the soundtrack to Perl Gluck's THE DIVAHN and four releases with Hasidic New Wave ( co-led by JazzFC Artistic Director Greg Wall).
