NIKKI ILES - Approaching From A Westerly Direction
Pianist, composer and educator, Nikki Iles, has been one the leading lights on the UK jazz scene since the early nineties with an impressive discography that includes recordings with Anthony Braxton & The Creative Jazz Orchestra, Mike Gibbs and Kenny Wheeler; and has had productive associations with saxophonists Martin Speake, Julian Argüelles, and Stan Sulzmann.
Despite the varied settings that she can be heard in, one of the constants is her work with vocalist Tina May with whom she has recorded six albums, and Norma Winstone. Her work with vocalists has brought her playing to a new level, one in which she is at home with the role of the accompanist, at one with the lyric and the song, yet still able to imbue proceedings with her own unique touch and voicings. Nowhere is this more evident on Westerly, the much awaited debut from her band The Printmakers, featuring Norma with saxophonist Mark Lockheart, Mike Walker on guitar, Steve Watts on bass and drummer James Maddren.
Despite the varied settings that she can be heard in, one of the constants is her work with vocalist Tina May with whom she has recorded six albums, and Norma Winstone. Her work with vocalists has brought her playing to a new level, one in which she is at home with the role of the accompanist, at one with the lyric and the song, yet still able to imbue proceedings with her own unique touch and voicings. Nowhere is this more evident on Westerly, the much awaited debut from her band The Printmakers, featuring Norma with saxophonist Mark Lockheart, Mike Walker on guitar, Steve Watts on bass and drummer James Maddren.
"The band was first formed when Steve Mead at the Manchester Jazz Festival suggested I form a band of my favourite players just for a gig at the festival" explains Nikki. "So that was it ..and it's been an ongoing development since then .As it's a larger band, financially, we can't work all of the time, so we've had several tours adding new music each time to the point when we were ready to document it." The album, Westerly, is an extraordinarily complex album that speaks directly to the listener in a disarmingly direct manner, in that the music can be immediately enjoyed on first hearing, and an appreciated on an entirely new level as the material becomes more familiar with each new hearing and the subtleties of the arrangements and the collective and individual contributions of the band are revealed.
To achieve such a quality recording with each instrument clearly heard and defined you would be forgiven for thinking that time spent in a state of the art recording studio was where The Prinstmakers would choose to record, but the truth is somewhat different, with the album being recorded in the drawing room of Yewfield House, Hawkshead, in the Lake District. Taking up the story, Nikki says "To be honest , the setting for the recording wasn't planned at all. I knew Derek Hook, the owner of 'Yewfield' for many years, from a distance. I drove many times from Leeds to Ambleside in the 80s to catch some of the wonderful concerts he would host at Zefferellis, with musicians such as Ralph Towner, Geri Allen, Paul Motion, Charlie Haden and John Taylor.So , there is a resonance for me in this part of the world, particularly the music of John Taylor and all of that music written in the Lakes.Our guitarist, Mike Walker, more recently spent time at Derek's place, both walking and on retreat in the winter months, working on his own writing. On one of these occasions, Derek suggested that we come up and have some time to work on some music, so initially Mark, Norma and I joined Mike for a few days preparing for a recording .We still hadn't got as far as thinking where or when! On the journey home, Mike phoned and said that Derek had offered the space for us to record at the house. This would obviously sacrifice any drop- ins and fixes as we recorded all together in the same room, but we decided we'd rather go with 'the moment' and try and capture something very live without tampering with the music, striving for the 'perfect' solos!"
To achieve such a quality recording with each instrument clearly heard and defined you would be forgiven for thinking that time spent in a state of the art recording studio was where The Prinstmakers would choose to record, but the truth is somewhat different, with the album being recorded in the drawing room of Yewfield House, Hawkshead, in the Lake District. Taking up the story, Nikki says "To be honest , the setting for the recording wasn't planned at all. I knew Derek Hook, the owner of 'Yewfield' for many years, from a distance. I drove many times from Leeds to Ambleside in the 80s to catch some of the wonderful concerts he would host at Zefferellis, with musicians such as Ralph Towner, Geri Allen, Paul Motion, Charlie Haden and John Taylor.So , there is a resonance for me in this part of the world, particularly the music of John Taylor and all of that music written in the Lakes.Our guitarist, Mike Walker, more recently spent time at Derek's place, both walking and on retreat in the winter months, working on his own writing. On one of these occasions, Derek suggested that we come up and have some time to work on some music, so initially Mark, Norma and I joined Mike for a few days preparing for a recording .We still hadn't got as far as thinking where or when! On the journey home, Mike phoned and said that Derek had offered the space for us to record at the house. This would obviously sacrifice any drop- ins and fixes as we recorded all together in the same room, but we decided we'd rather go with 'the moment' and try and capture something very live without tampering with the music, striving for the 'perfect' solos!"
So, I asked Nikki, having taken some time over recording how did she choose the repertoire for the album and is this fairly typical of a set list for a Printmakers concert? "Yes it is, and it's felt like the material naturally evolved really with suggestions from everyone in the group." Elaborating, the pianist says, "I've written tunes which we initially played instrumentally until words began to emerge and they then transformed into songs. I always heard them as songs in the first place with Norma's sound in mind. Mike has contributed to the material and we are about to begin some writing together which will be interesting! Also, some older tunes that we have played for years like Ralph Towner's 'The Glide' and John Taylor's 'O' were good to revisit. We also delved into repertoire by the likes of Joni Mitchel and Paul Simon. Both are stories of love but not in the American Song book context ..but more contemporary tales.'I Do It For Your Love' was initially inspired by the Bill Evans version ...I actually heard this before the original version ..and 'Two Grey Rooms' is a strange tale of secret passion between two men. Both very real and human stories. I wouldn't normally go near tunes that have such a definitive version, but when Norma sings you are drawn into her very personal narrative, literally from her first breath and you hang on every word ...quite amazing."
Iles' admiration for Norma Winstone is unashamedly evident, and when contributing four of her compositions to Westerly it is not surprising to learn that three have have lyrics penned by Norma, so were these written especially for the recording? "'Tideway', named after Norma's house, and 'Under The Canopy' were written for the group and the recording. The other two, 'Westerly' and 'High Lands' were written for a commission with John Williams's octet with poet Roger Garfitt ..celebrating the life of the writer Mary Webb, called In All My Holy Mountain, and both have a very English sound . The album's title track, 'Westerly', is a piece which depicts the setting of her birthplace in rural Shropshire.Norma heard it and wrote some words inspired by Annie Proulx's book, Postcards. Here a cowboy kills his wife in the desert and sends postcards back home. .."
Nikki has worked a lot with Norma and the rapport with her is readily heard in their work together, and also has a longstanding working relationship with Tina May, with a similar understanding and empathy. Is working with vocalists something that she particularly enjoys? "I love working with them both", enthuses Nikki., "you have to lose yourself to the lyric, create atmospheres and help the tale to be told. It's egoless and a challenge and also incredibly creative with the right singer. Mark Lockheart and Mike Walker surprise me on every gig with their emotional depth and connection to the words...not all saxophone players have this intuition ...and when you are all pulling together like this, it's magic! You realise how direct the connection is to an audience when you work with a great singer and understanding how to enhance that experience is incredibly rewarding."
Nikki has worked a lot with Norma and the rapport with her is readily heard in their work together, and also has a longstanding working relationship with Tina May, with a similar understanding and empathy. Is working with vocalists something that she particularly enjoys? "I love working with them both", enthuses Nikki., "you have to lose yourself to the lyric, create atmospheres and help the tale to be told. It's egoless and a challenge and also incredibly creative with the right singer. Mark Lockheart and Mike Walker surprise me on every gig with their emotional depth and connection to the words...not all saxophone players have this intuition ...and when you are all pulling together like this, it's magic! You realise how direct the connection is to an audience when you work with a great singer and understanding how to enhance that experience is incredibly rewarding."
One of Iles' most endearing traits is not just her touch at the keyboard, but the way in which she can readily touch base with the great piano tradition without every slavishly copying or imitating anyone else, whilst all the time sounding totally contemporary. "Very early influences were Nat Cole, Oscar (Peterson) and Bud Powell, and Hank Jones.Then Bill Evans, always Bill Evans. Also, John Taylor, Paul Bley, Gerri Allen ,Herbie Hancock, Lennie Tristano, Kirk Lightsey, Myra Melford, Andrew Hill, Liam Noble to mention a few", says the pianist. Continuing, she adds, "Jazz was constantly on in the background at home ..Oscar, Nat Cole, George Shearing ...my dad worked in the motor industry but played some drums on the side. I started out as a clarinet player, first winning a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music at the age of 11 and pursued a classical pathway until 18. By this time a new music teacher at my school started a dance band and bought a stash of saxophones...so this is how I moved to the left! We played with Kenny Baker , Don Lusher and shortly after this I joined the Bedfordshire Youth Jazz Orchestra on alto and later changed to piano. I still hadn't a clue really about improvising...you kind of stabbed around trying to swing and play the gestures of the music ..not much content though", she laughs. "A huge turning point for me was attending the Dankworth's All Music And Jazz Courses ( Wavendon ) Here at 17 yrs old , I met Norma Winstone , Tony Coe , Bob Cornford and fellow students Iain Ballamy and The Bancroft brothers .I was hooked and at that pointI had to tell my clarinet professor at the Academy that I wouldn't be taking my place on the classical undergrad course , but would be going to Leeds to study Jazz , much to his disappointment!"
Like many musicians of her generation, Iles not only survived her time in the academic teachings but has flourished. Having come out the other side and established her credentials in putting the theory into practise she has travelled full circle and is now involved in music education from a teaching perspective. So as a musician and improviser how des she view or approach the teaching of what is such an intuitive art form? "It's a tough one", says Nikki. "As a jazz musician you need to invest the time to go on a rocky road to discovery. This takes time, but if you learn something yourself, in a way it's been harder won and will result in a deeper understanding... and of course before jazz college, this is how most people got it together. Even though I went to jazz College I still feel very much home spun, and so in my teaching I try and open up understanding of certain processes which are then transferable in different contexts.There are definite skills and elements in music that need to be worked on and can be taught, but then these ideas are transferred to a completely different situation, a door opens and the student has learnt how to learn and off they go!" As for the future, the resourceful Ms Iles has plenty up her sleeve. "I have had an ongoing Big Band project which I have had performed by the fantastic Royal Academy Big Band at the London Jazz festival , so I plan to write more for that .There is a gig in October at Leeds College of Music celebrating the anniversary of the first course in Europe where you could study jazz. Musicians such as Tori Freestone, Rick Taylor, Rob Malarkey, Robbie Robson and Andy Schofield will be involved (all alumnae) ..so looking forward to that" enthuses Iles. "I'm touring with Tina may in Scotland in September, more Printmakers gigs and writing new music with the group for possibly a project with an artist ..still in the thinking stages. Also preparing for a very exciting project with The London Vocal Project and possibly Kurt Elling and Jon Hendricks , with the first ever performance of Miles Ahead with new lyrics from Jon to Miles's solos ...so very exciting. I'm also starting a research project at Middlesex University and the Academy , collating all the music for a new Kenny Wheeler Song Book, the official Real Book .. .also containing lyrics by the likes of Norma Winstone and Jane White."
For more information visit Nikki's website, and Basho Records.
Click on the album cover to read our review of Westerly by The Printmakers
Like many musicians of her generation, Iles not only survived her time in the academic teachings but has flourished. Having come out the other side and established her credentials in putting the theory into practise she has travelled full circle and is now involved in music education from a teaching perspective. So as a musician and improviser how des she view or approach the teaching of what is such an intuitive art form? "It's a tough one", says Nikki. "As a jazz musician you need to invest the time to go on a rocky road to discovery. This takes time, but if you learn something yourself, in a way it's been harder won and will result in a deeper understanding... and of course before jazz college, this is how most people got it together. Even though I went to jazz College I still feel very much home spun, and so in my teaching I try and open up understanding of certain processes which are then transferable in different contexts.There are definite skills and elements in music that need to be worked on and can be taught, but then these ideas are transferred to a completely different situation, a door opens and the student has learnt how to learn and off they go!" As for the future, the resourceful Ms Iles has plenty up her sleeve. "I have had an ongoing Big Band project which I have had performed by the fantastic Royal Academy Big Band at the London Jazz festival , so I plan to write more for that .There is a gig in October at Leeds College of Music celebrating the anniversary of the first course in Europe where you could study jazz. Musicians such as Tori Freestone, Rick Taylor, Rob Malarkey, Robbie Robson and Andy Schofield will be involved (all alumnae) ..so looking forward to that" enthuses Iles. "I'm touring with Tina may in Scotland in September, more Printmakers gigs and writing new music with the group for possibly a project with an artist ..still in the thinking stages. Also preparing for a very exciting project with The London Vocal Project and possibly Kurt Elling and Jon Hendricks , with the first ever performance of Miles Ahead with new lyrics from Jon to Miles's solos ...so very exciting. I'm also starting a research project at Middlesex University and the Academy , collating all the music for a new Kenny Wheeler Song Book, the official Real Book .. .also containing lyrics by the likes of Norma Winstone and Jane White."
For more information visit Nikki's website, and Basho Records.
Click on the album cover to read our review of Westerly by The Printmakers
