Spike Mason's High 5

Historical article recovered from a Wayback capture dated 2018-02-24.

Spike Mason

is an improvising musicianer who is dedicated to developing the facility that enables him to transfer the musical ideas he hears in his head onto his saxophones, or any other instrument that is available.

Over the past 18 years he has played improvised music all over the world in countries including Australia, England, Scotland, Turkey, Greece, Singapore, Italy, Holland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Canada, and the U.S.A.

1. WAYNE SHORTER QUARTET - Melbourne 2005

The ensemble, consisting of Wayne, John Pattituci, Brian Blade, and guest Jason Moran, played for 2 nights at Melbourne’s Jazz Festival. The Friday night set was incredible - I could hardly speak or sleep afterward. I walked around Melbourne in a daze on the Saturday trying to decide what to do with what I’d heard. I knew there was another concert on the Saturday night but I didn’t have a ticket, had plans to see an old friend, and I thought it would be both sold out and pretty unlikely that the experience of Friday night could be repeated. In the end I decided to risk it, and I cancelled my plans with my friend and bought a ticket for the Saturday concert as well. The Saturday night set was just as incredible as the Friday night. In fact it was as if no time at all had passed between the last tune on Friday and the first tune on Saturday. It was that continuous - that fluid. The mojo from the previous night was still in the room. I was once again entranced.

Everything that was played was so fresh - the guys were completely open, following each other where ever each of them went. The music was a mix of improvised pieces and Wayne’s compositions, and sounded just like you were overhearing some dear friends in a private conversation. A discussion that journeyed along a variety of serious and deep topics, coloured by strong opinions, outrageous humour, a great deal of familiarity and a long standing mutual respect.

2.

DANIEL LANOIS

• Sydney 2006

My wife Lea is responsible for me hearing about this incredible musician.

He is a producer of some note, known as the “5th member of U2” and is responsible for much of the great music that U2 produces. He is also good friends with Brian Blade, and uses his rhythmic love on his albums. When I saw that he was coming to the Basement I booked us a couple of tickets. I listened to his albums for the month or so before the gig so that I would be familiar with his music.

The concert was spellbinding. It is not often that I can listen to an entire show and not be distracted for its duration, but this was the case with this one. Daniel was in the zone from the get go. His guitar playing was unbelievable, he had such a direct connection to his instrument, and everything just flowed. The band was also fantastic - some of Detroit’s finest. There were deep grooves, a beautifully balanced sound, gorgeous 3part harmonies, and wonderful songs. The music was straight ahead rock - done to perfection at a surprisingly low volume.

The most amazing moment for me was on the last tune. Daniel said that the band would “raise the roof” for the encore. What I expected was the volume of the band to increase. What I got was a slow burn of a groove that simmered and built for about 10 minutes with a climax that was so intense I almost went insane.

It made me want to go and buy an electric guitar.

3. MALABY / RAINEY / SANCHEZ - Phoenix 2004

My wife and I had spent a month in New York and I had followed Tony Malaby around like stink on a monkey. When I said farewell to Tony and his wife Angelica they asked me where I was headed. I told them I was going to Phoenix for a week to do a course on natural childbirth. They said they would be performing in Phoenix (their home town) the following week at a great venue called

“Modified Arts”

.

As luck would have it, they were playing on the Sunday night - my last night in the US, and my only night off from the course.

The venue was beautiful, lit by candles, very relaxed, completely quiet, and full to the brim with an audience of fans for these “locals” visiting from the “big apple”. The music was all completely improvised - with Tony on saxophones, his wife Angelica on keys, and Tom Rainey on drums and all manner of percussion instruments. The three of them had been playing together a very long time and the interplay between them was intimate and very natural. It was a beautiful night of unique and spontaneous music and a great way to finish my time overseas.

4. MICHAEL BRECKER QUINTET - New York 2004

When I first got to New York on this trip I sold some mouthpieces at

Roberto’s

. So I was really cashed up and ready to hear lots of great music. I dragged the bassist Mark Lau along with me to as many gigs as he could afford and we heard some amazing groups. We had bumped into the drummer Craig Simon on the subway and he told us that Jeff “Tain” Watts was playing the following night with Michael Brecker at Birdland. We decided to all meet there.

We arrived pretty early the following night and when I spoke to the doorman (remembering what I’d learnt from the book “How to win friends and influence people”) I said, “I’m from Sydney, Australia, and I’ve travelled all this way to hear Michael Brecker in the greatest jazz club in the world.” and he said “Well let’s get you guys to a good seat then.” He proceeded to take us to the front centre table. Craig decided to sit where all drummers sit when they go to gigs. (At the side of the stage, just behind the drum stool.)

The band came on stage to thunderous applause and before it had died down Brecker and Tain played two out for about 5 minutes before heading into the first tune. The band was amazing, Mike, Tain, Joey Calderazzo, Adam Rogers, and Chris Minh Doky, and they played some new tunes as well as some old favourites. It was life changing to be in front of Brecker’s horn and to hear his creations catapult out of it. He energy was limitless, and his execution was astounding on both ballads and burners.

I spent some time talking to him and gave him a copy of my OXIMETRIC album during the break. He was complete master of the horn and a very friendly guy.

5. BARNEY WAKEFORD TRIO - Sydney 2000

Barney is good friend of mine and is a very unique musician. We play improvised music together each Thursday night at an event of our own creation in Glebe called

FREE FOR ALL

.

This set of music was a one off gig at the “Side-On Cafe”. The group was Barney on piano, Mark Lau on double bass, and Felix Bloxham on drums, and they played all of Barneys original music.

Barney had spent the week before the gig in a friend’s car with a video camera and had recorded some city driving scenes. These were shown on 2 television sets on stage while the music was played and created a beautiful backdrop for the sounds that were created. The tunes were all segued together and assisted in taking you on a beautiful hour-long sonic and visual journey. The band flowed from piece to piece with great subtlety and care, showcasing Barneys beautifully endearing melodies.

This concert was a rare treat from a very underrated Sydney player.