_{Touring the New Melodic: Ivo Neame, Jasper Høiby, and Anton Eger} 

After the release of their new live album Life to Everything recorded in the Cockpit theatre at Jez Nelson’s Jazz in the Round over the course of two nights of the 2013 London Jazz Festival, Phronesis build on the momentum of the release and a successful showcase at JazzAhead touring this week. A double bass-led piano trio whose sound shapes and to an extent codifies the New Melodic sweeping jazz Phronesis first made their mark properly with Alive, another live album, but that was a little different as its drummer was future Mehliana rhythm matador Mark Guiliana although the character and shape of the music was clear. In those days the band had a stronger Avishai Cohen influence than now, although you can still hear it a bit (for instance ‘Herne Hill’), but Phronesis have their own sound which is very distinctive, exciting, full of individuality, sheer verve and improvisational resource that goes way beyond mere technical command although all three players have this in abundance. Rousing and refreshing anyone who likes good jazz will need to hear Life to Everything as a live experience.

Phronesis, above, play Sage Gateshead 27 May; RNCM, Manchester, 28 May; Union Chapel, London 29 May; Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast on 30 May and Town Hall, Birmingham, 31 May