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Malija performs at St Mary's Penzance 2nd February 2018

Another night when I am disappointed by the small audience for great jazz music in Penzance.  A few years ago i suffered the same ignominy as a promoter with Brass Jaw in the bar at the Acorn.  So apologies to this wonderful band that is Malija

Malija takes it name from the first two letters of each of the trio who compose it
Mark Lockheart plays soprano and tenor sax,  Liam Noble on piano and Jasper Hoiby, the Danish bassist.  

 Jasper's band Phronesis has been nominated for a MOJO and for a Parliamentary Jazz Award,  Liam Noble plays with Christine Toibin on the Tapestry tour and also Loose Tubes,  Mark Lockheart 

 This is the pattern for creative musicians now,  there is a core group of professionals who work in different bands, allowing different lineups 

 There is a relaxedness in their playing which comes from confidence, the fact that they are mid-tour and so fully keyed to the content of their new release - and not yet jaded by the familiarity of the works really comes through

 Its all new music, with compositions contributed by all participants and during the course of the intimate recital which ensues we have some great music and all wrapped in the beautifully vaulted and warm acoustic of the grand church on the bluff about Battery Rocks and Jubilee Pool 

Sanctuary (coincidentally named as the trio perform slightly incongrouously against a still undismantled nativity scene)  is a slow paced sound world commencing with plucked strings on the piano and harmonics on the bass which holds a profound tension,

Posh Piece and Malia are further innovative new ways

This trio of piano Liam Noble, Bass Jesper Hoiko, and Mark Lockheart definitely ought to have had a knock out audience.  that is the last time I put on jazz in Penzance for some time

Jasper Hoiby has an incredible sense of rhythmic drive, not forced but underpinning the whole ensemble,  Liam Noble inventive, accurate, Mark Lockheart lovely tone

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