“I have played drums before.” Having just told us that he will begin this evening’s performance by playing some solo drums, with remarkable understatement and no little humility Sebastian Rochford reassures the audience of his ability to undertake such a task successfully. What he doesn’t mention is the fact that he is the man who over the past couple of decades has recorded and released music as the leader of the British experimental jazz band Polar Bear, and was a founding member of another supreme jazz outfit Sons of Kemet, has played drums with Acoustic Ladyland, and collaborated with a raft of diverse musicians extending all the way from Damon Albarn to David Byrne and Brian Eno to Brett Anderson.
After a 15-minute exhibition of what is a most beautifully restrained dynamic, Seb(astian) Rochford is joined by Kit Downes on piano. Downes is widely regarded as being “one of the most outstanding British improvisers of his generation.” Together they approach a new Rochford composition “The Energy of Light”, giving us the first taste of their sonic synergy and creative compatibility. It is a sheer delight.
After an intermission, the pair return to play their recent album A Short Diary in its entirety. With all the songs bar one written by Seb Rochford – the notable exception being ‘Even Know I Think of Her’ which was composed by his father, Gerard Rochford, a Scottish Poet Laureate, who died in December 2019 – the record is inspired by his passing. Seb Rochford has described A Short Diary as “a sonic memory, created with love, out of need for comfort.”
The second song from the album, ‘Communal Decisions’, reflects how Seb Rochford and his nine siblings all communed after their father’s passing and “breathed together.” It is a most elegant piece of music, reflecting deep loss, an even deeper love, and such great familial warmth. ‘Love You Grampa’ is equally touching, a poignant reminder of the positive impact that Gerard Rochford had upon his grandchildren’s lives.
Sat behind his kit, a beatific look begins to emerge upon Seb Rochford’s face as he observes the delicacy of Kit Downes’ playing, the serenity of his smile enhancing an almost Zen-like calm that already prevails within this most intimate of settings.
‘Our Time Is Still’ readily conveys Seb Rochford’s message that when people pass on it isn’t necessarily the end, moreover a different beginning. This sense of hope and continuation transmits through the fluidity of his and Kit Downes’ exquisite collaboration. ‘Ten of Us’ is comparatively tumultuous, characterising as it does all the energy and excitement of being in such an extensive family.
Having departed the stage after the album’s concluding song, ‘Even Now I Think of Her’, Seb Rochford and Kit Downes return to play Rochford’s “love song to Scotland”, ‘To The Country I Was Born.’ It is yet another remarkable musical creation. It embodies feelings of cultural identity, elements of emotional conflict, and a burning sense of national pride and one that provides a fitting finale to a concert that captures the fusion of sound and meaning and many, many moments of transcendental beauty.
Photos: Simon Godley
