Stan Sulzmann at CUBA - 17 August, 2005


Legendary sax player Stan Sulzmann must be one of the most modest musical figures in Britain. He is without question one of the most highly respected musicians in the UK today, admired by musicians and audiences for his instantly recognisable sound and his boundless creative imagination. Stan Sulzmann is a real source of inspiration to many of Britain's emerging young jazz musicians.

On Wednesday evening, 17 August, Stan arrived to play in Haverfordwest at Cuba [the new name for a refurbished Waterfront club], and treated an enthusiastic audience to ravishing set of standard tunes played with exquisite taste and boundless creativity.

These days a man who just stands in front of a rhythm section and plays straight jazz improvisations on old tunes, without gimmicks or funny hats, is a rare treat for hard core jazz people, but a difficult pill to swallow for a general audience; but the mixed age audience on the night was held spellbound by the gentle and soulful billows of original expansions issuing (seemingly) effortlessly from Stan’s instrument.

Among the many emotive and entertaining tunes Stan chose to play were, The Touch of Your Lips, Yesterdays, Nancy with the Laughing Face, Speak Low, and Birdlike.

The rhythm section of pianist Brian Waite, bass player Erica Lyons and drummer John Gibbon [whose solo was superb!], provided a superbly understated cushion for the man to create his magic upon and contributed their own statements on the tunes with great skill.

The basement club provides a truly excellent setting for jazz with one important exception, the snooker club on the floor above had thumping dance music going which forced the band to end earlier than planned. We in the audience felt we had been treated to an intimate encounter with a sensitive, gentle and soulful human being with a wealth of imaginative ideas to communicate generously to us via his instrument.

A big man with a big heart, a soft voice and immense skill had given us a glimpse of his creative world and a memorable evening's music.

Thank you Stan!

Sulzmann’s career stretches back to the 60s when, as part of a uniquely talented crop of British musicians, he played with Graham Collier, John Taylor, Kenny Wheeler, Gordon Beck, as well as leading many groups of his own.

Since that time Stan has been at the forefront of European contemporary jazz, and his talents have been sought by a host of discerning musicians, including Gil Evans, Mike Gibbs, Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland and Michael Brecker. Constantly in demand as a guest soloist, he has appeared with bands across Europe, including the Hilversum Radio Orchestra, NDR Big Band (alongside Chet Baker), Hanover Radio Symphony Orchestra and the New York Composers Orchestra.

Further intimate and refreshingly innovative musical partnerships have developed with acclaimed British pianist Nikki Iles, American keyboard player Marc Copland and the trio Ordesa - a drumless, bassless combination with Kenny Wheeler and John Parricelli.

For more about Stan, visit his website http://www.stansulzmann.co.uk

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