Simcock Meets Charnock

Both the music and the dancing were improvised and the audience had the opportunity to see and hear these talented performers interacting with each other live on stage.

Charnock is a veteran of the modern dance world, having co-founded DV8 with Lloyd Newson, but the taut physical discipline of his fast-paced and energetic jazz dance routine would have been the envy of someone half his age. With confidence and elan, he interacted with the audience, and with virtually every item on the stage.. At times the grand piano, centre stage, was used as a sculptural object which Charnock danced around, underneath and beside, a little reminiscent of Richard Alston's famous Soda Lake solo. At other times he wrapped himself in the curtains, with just his tapping feet remaining visible.

Although the performance was light-hearted and entertaining, in DV8 tradition taboos were broken at almost every moment, with simulations of sexual intercourse, masturbation, injecting drugs and snorting cocaine. Somehow this was done in a way which always remained comic parody rather than bad taste, humour pervading the proceedings at all times.

Traditional boundaries between audience and performer and between musicians and dancer were broken with the same abandon; at one moment Charnock sat down beside Simcock on the piano stool and suggested they swap roles. Simcock, ever cool and laconic, obligingly made way. Latecomers were accosted and a running commentary was made on the music. An audience member's back was adopted as a bag; the aisles and even the seating formed performance space and in an exhilarating close to the first half, a ladder at the rear was incorporated into the vertical moves.

The second half opened with an instrumental set, with Yuri Goloubev on double bass and James Maddren on percussion joining Simcock. We were told Goloubev had arrived from Italy only a little earlier that same day after a series of delays due to the adverse weather conditions, but this was not apparent from his calm and skillful playing.

Simcock is a gifted and original soloist, with the accolade of being the first ever jazz musician to be a BBC New Generation Artist. The influences of Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea and Mark-Anthony Turnage are all clear in his work, but he has his own distinct voice. In addition to his acclaimed solo work, he performs in ensembles ranging from the trio heard tonight through to big bands. It was fascinating to gain this wider insight into his versatility as a musician through both his ensemble work and solo playing.

The trio worked well together and the balance between the different instruments and musicians was pleasing. As with the first half of the evening, the performers were clearly enjoying themselves and their enjoyment was infectious, resulting in an entertaining and uplifting evening.

The London Jazz Festival continues over the next fortnight. at a range venues throughout the capital. The Southbank Centre showcases more innovative choreography and physical theatre in its forthcoming Move Weekend, 26-28 November 2010.

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