Not sure how many music students are leaving Canberra given changes in the ANUSOM but here were two. Tragic, that: Canberra will suffer mightily. I got to one band having its last fling at Smiths the other night. Evan and Oliver, bass and drums, setting off, to Melbourne, leaving pianist Mic behind. MacGregor Hall, upstairs at Smiths, was teaming with listeners. Mic, Evan and Oliver were playing a storm of intriguing, complex, often obtuse, sometimes playful, improvs. They were also promoting their album to be released the next day entitled Blues. I listen to that and it's perhaps even more abstruse, a glorious loose improv adding Miro and John and guitarist Oscar to the mix for a very worthy listen. I was intrigued by Evan's lovely, soft, effective tone, his flexibility and improv across the neck and into the highest reaches. Oliver soloed less but very strong and established and explosive across the kit when he did. I later sat behind Mic enjoying his harmonic daring, his expressive lines, his wrist and hand spreads that excited and didn't feel at all uncomfortable, dissonant and daring as it must have been. Mic apologised at one stage for playing ballads, for All of me and later I fall in love too easily, but it was a lesson in going out of the staid, safe walk. Loved it! Otherwise it was mostly originals with lengthy explorations. The album is confirmation and a pleasure. And this gig was recorded so perhaps a final live album is coming. Let's hope this level of daring is not lost to Canberra, but despair comes too easily these days.
Mic Knight (piano) led his trio with Evan Teece (bass) and Oliver Stott (drums) at Smiths.
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