Skip to main content
Work with the NEU
Joe McPhee at Cafe Oto and Kahil El'zabar at Ronnie Scotts
(L to R) Joe Mcphee, Kahil El'zabar [(L to R) Nomo michael hoefner / Sheldon (Shelly) Levy/CC]

AT CAFE OTO in Dalston, 82-year-old Floridian multi-instrumentalist Joe McPhee introduced his performance with the Decoy Quartet by saying: “Thank you very much for extending my childhood.”

You could hear the whole century of jazz sound in McPhee’s first excruciating volley of tenor saxophone notes. After two pandemic years it was as if the spirits of Armstrong, Ellington, Parker, Coltrane and Ornette were rising above the darkening skies of Dalston.

With him were three English nonpareils creating a relentless sound of roaring unity: drummer Steve Noble’s rampaging toms and rattling cymbals; John Edwards’s throbbing, cavorting bass coming as if from the Earth’s centre, and the churchlike yet secular glory of Alexander Hawkins’s Hammond B3 organ, like a merry-go-round of now-times musical truth.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
Arin Keshishi Quintet on stage / Pic: Artstage
Culture / 24 November 2025
24 November 2025

As part of the 2025 London Jazz Festival Rich Mix offered intriguing sessions titled 'Persian Jazz,' CHRIS SEARLE was there

CS albums
Album Reviews / 7 July 2025
7 July 2025

Re-releases from Bobby Wellins/Kenny Wheeler Quintet, Larry Stabbins/Keith Tippet/Louis Moholo-Moholo, and Charles Mingus Quintet

themen
Interview / 18 June 2025
18 June 2025

CHRIS SEARLE speaks to saxophonist and retired NHS orthopaedic surgeon ART THEMEN

xhosa
Interview / 21 May 2025
21 May 2025

Chris Searle speaks to saxophonist XHOSA COLE and US tap-dancer LIBERTY STYLES