'Vital Spark' by Dave Holland, Norma Winstone & London Vocal Project

Kenny Wheeler's ability to perform music in a variety of settings and ensembles is part of what helped to establish his indelible musical legacy.  A keen improviser, the Canadian-born trumpeter was as adept within intimate trio arrangements as he was heading up vibrant big bad ensembles and orchestras.  

Always noted for his modest and self-effacing perception of his own contributions, Wheeler was also known to have a real affection for "sad" music often citing some of his heroes like Miles Davis and Billie Holiday as knowing how best to tap into that distinct quality within their compositions: "Everything I do has a touch of melancholy and a touch of chaos to it."

It's that profound interpretation of Wheeler's music that enables a project like 'Vital Spark' to come to be realised in such exquisite fashion.

Spearheaded by the revered Dave Holland and the esteemed Norma Winstone, 'Vital Spark' is an incredible conceptualizing of Kenny Wheeler's final compositions that, frankly, couldn't have been left to more competent hands.

Long displaying a like-minded approach to that of Wheeler's, Dave Holland's open-minded perspectives to jazz and composition has seen the bassist and band leader soar over a career that dates back to the early-1970s.  The UK-born and US-based artist has cultivated an illustrious legacy across a multitude of his own releases and collaborations that have seen him perform alongside generational luminaries including Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Billy Hart and Nate Smith.

With ties to Wheeler by way of their 1970s trio Azimuth (which included pianist John Taylor), vocalist Norma Winstone further helps to breathe sensational life into 'Vital Spark'.  A highly-decorated artist in her own right, Winstone boasts a catalogue of equal reverence having initially established her style through a wordless, improvisation-heavy approach.

And then of course we have the London Vocal Project headed up by director Pete Churchill and featuring more than twenty vocalists as part of the expansive choir who sound sublime over the lush accompaniment of Nikki Iles on piano, James Maddren on drums, Mark Lockheart on saxes and John Parricelli guitar.

'Vital Spark' serves as a fascinating musical gumbo of inspired collaborators that have each forged their own path as highly respected and sought after names but, collectively, tap into something incredibly special with the spirit of Kenny Wheeler looming affectionately over the project.  

Across the album's nine compositions, we're treated to ethereal performances that leave something of a visceral imprint by the album's completion: to what would perhaps be Wheeler's delight, 'Vital Spark' connects as music that oftentimes resonates as being incredibly sad.  But therein lies the brilliance of the project, as collectively, Holland and company - in creating an album of celebration - are able to find the joy in that very lament.