Marius Neset receives another 5 star Guardian review
25 yeard old Norwegian saxophonist, Marius Neset has received another 5 star review in the Guardian for the first concert of his current UK tour at the Pizza Express in Soho, London. Described as “one of the most exciting international jazz newcomers of the past year” by John Fordham, Marius Neset has been playing to sell out crowds around the UK. Click ‘read more’ to read review in full.
Pizza Express Jazz Club, London *****
5 out of 5 by John Fordham
Marius Neset is one of the most exciting international jazz newcomers of the past year. The 25-year-old sax player crackles with youthful energy, and much of the first London performance of his UK tour saw the Norwegian frenetically weaving and rocking his way through music much closer to the upfront, contemporary-American jazz-sax style of the late Michael Brecker or New York’s Chris Potter.
His Golden XPlosion album was a five-star affair in April, but replicating its confident focus in a live show seemed a tougher call. Neset’s mentor and the album’s brilliant pianist Django Bates wasn’t present either; London’s Nick Ramm deputised with a subtly supportive but more unobtrusive piano role. Neset still triumphed. Beginning with the long-note swoops and pristine high notes of the unaccompanied Saxophone Intermezzo, he soon launched into the bustling City on Fire, with its brittle, drumlike phrases and hectoring hooks.
It was a show as remarkable for its variations of mood as for its improv vivacity. Raucously funky tenor-sax solos splicing two melodies at once brought cheers at the close of the first set and the start of the second, while the idiosyncratic grace of Django Bates surfaced in the later stages. The gig swelled to a climactic roar that fused polyrhythmic jazz intricacy and a rock finale’s howling bravura. As powerful, skilful and idiomatically varied on stage as he is on record, Neset is a resounding talent.
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Other reviews from the tour:
PIZZA EXPRESS, LONDON – 1st SEPT 2011
Guardian – read here in full (John Fordham)
“Marius Neset is one of the most exciting international jazz newcomers of the past year. The 25-year-old sax player crackles with youthful energy, and much of the first London performance of his UK tour saw the Norwegian frenetically weaving and rocking his way through music much closer to the upfront, contemporary-American jazz-sax style of the late Michael Brecker or New York’s Chris Potter”.
Evening Standard – read here in full (Jack Massarick)
“After Parker, Coltrane and Ornette Coleman have come Michael Brecker and Steve Coleman, all players of this most articulate of instruments. It’s been some while since a new game-changer emerged but the buzz surrounding Marius Neset suggests that he just might be it”.
Jazzwise Magazine – read here in full (Stephen Graham)
“Five star album reviews don’t come thick on the ground particularly for newcomers. But Norwegian saxophonist Marius Neset garnered quite a clutch of primo reviews earlier in the year when his debut Golden Xplosion was released… So no pressure then! But, when you’re on a roll, you’re on a roll, and Neset, who while making his London jazz club debut as a leader, dazzled relentlessly in the Dean Street basement premises whether on languorous ballads, frenetic 7/4 (into was it 14/8?) stormers, or hymn-like anthems such as the wondrous finale ‘Angel Of The North’”.
Financial Times – read here in full (Mike Hobart)
“Technical excellence comes as standard for any working jazz group, but Marius Neset’s derring-do on tenor saxophone has a muscular virtuosity that is exciting in itself”.
THE EDGE ARTS CENTRE, SHROPSHIRE – 3rd Sept 2011
Jazz Mann read here in full
“Marius Neset looks set to become one of the major figures of European jazz in the coming years”.
COLSTON HALL, BRISTOL
Venue Magazine - read here in full – 4th Sept 2011
“This is definitely a player to keep watching”.
