the idea behind the Big Idea

Big Idea is the name of my new group featuring Julian Siegal, Steve Buckley, Rob Townsend -reeds, John Parricelli- guitar, Dudley Phillips -bass and Martin France-drums.

The initial concept for the music came from recording myself, improvising fragments etc and then layering (multi-tracking) and editing parts together on a computer. These small spontaneous ideas became the building blocks for the compositions, which are the basis of this new touring band and also the inspiration behind my new CD Moving Air released on Basho records .

Here's a review froma gig on our UK tour

Mark Lockheart's Big Idea ****
Alyn Shipton at Vortex, N16

Take the butterscotch tonality of a saxophone quartet and mix it with the hard-edged precision of a fusion rhythm section, and you create a septet that offers a composer great possibilities. The saxophonist Mark Lockheart has imaginatively seized this opportunity for his Big Idea touring group, which moved into the final lap of a month-long national odyssey with a sparkling set at the new Vortex club in Dalston.
The bright acoustic of the building and the confident power of a cohesive band that had been working together for some weeks was a potent combination, making a perfect showcase for music from Lockheart’s newly released album, Moving Air.

Not everything was from the CD- Lockheart's restless invention is producing new material for the band even as it tours.

An untitled composition that began with the leader’s tenor sax and John Parricelli’s solo guitar pacing each other like fighting tom cats was a case in point, creating a platform for a beautifully crafted solo from Rob Townsend, also on tenor sax. It was very much Townsend’s night, and amid a front line that also produced high quality solos from Julian Siegel on bass clarinet and Steve Buckley on alto saxophone, he matched Lockheart himself for consistency and creativity.

Good as the solo playing was, the real strength of this band is in Lockheart’s collection of strong original compositions. These exploit the tonal variety of his front line and the flexibility of the rhythm section.

A few years ago I heard his 11-piece Scratch Band playing a piece called A Place In The Sun. This reappeared with Big Idea, and the septet made the most of its lazy melodic line and ingenious harmony.

Because each of the reed players doubles on several instruments, the range of tonal options open to the band is remarkable, and from a trio of bass clarinets to a quartet of saxophones, there’s a constantly shifting texture that holds the listener’s attention — and ensures that the players stay on their toes.

Go to the Moving Air page.