This was such an exciting project to be involved with. I’d had the pleasure of working with Greg Dowling, the sound engineer behind the recording label Elsden Music, a few times before. However, this was my first shoot with the jazz guitar virtuoso Nigel Price as part of a new quartet featuring Alban Claret also on guitar, with Mikele Montolli on bass and Matt Fishwick on Drums.
A few last-minute arrangements meant I had been running all over East London collecting extra equipment, and I made it to the studio just as the band had finished setting up and were about to start recording. While I would not recommend this as good preparation, it did get my energy levels up to a suitable level before I arrived. This group can seriously play, fast and tight, with a remarkable fluidity considering these guys had not all played in the same room together. I had the simple pleasure of keeping pace and finding the best angles.
An afternoon session absolutely flew by, and I’m delighted to have captured something of the energy and chemistry that came out of that packed space. As a guitar fan myself, I felt extra privileged to have been able to see the magic happen in front of me, and Nigel & Evan have such an easy-going chemistry that is a delight to experience. Entente Cordial is available now on CD and digital download, featuring ten covers of classic 20th century jazz compositions, the fourth studio album from Elsden Music.
Alban Claret
Alban and Nigel
Matt Fishwick
Alban Claret
Mikele Montolli
Matt Fishwick
Mikele Montolli
