“Infinite possibilities”: the creator of a pioneering improvised music night in London is launching a new record label documenting great performances. George Nelson talks to John Bungey

George Nelson‘s monthly Moment’s Notice night could be London jazz’s greatest high-wire act. The creator-curator invites five musicians, who may never have played together, perhaps never even met, but whose approaches to music-making are in some way compatible. They soundcheck separately and then, at Amp Studios on the Old Kent Road, a packed audience witnesses a night of spontaneous composition: first a duo, then a trio, then all five. “This is bottom-up improvisation, a leap into the unknown – infinite possibilities, no ceiling, no floor,” says Nelson, a photographer and mover and shaker on the capital’s jazz scene.

Moment’s Notice began in London Fields in 2020, before relocating to Peckham after its second episode. Now 36 shows down, artists featured have included Kae Tempest, Matana Roberts, Moses Boyd, Shabaka Hutchings, Cassie Kinoshi, Soweto Kinch, Ben LaMar Gay, Laura Jurd, Ivo Neame and Judi Jackson.

The fourth season opens on March 27, when Alex Hitchcock, saxes, will join the diverse company of pianist Sultan Stevenson, Palestinian oud master Saied Silbak, tubist Hanna Mbuya and drummer Sam Jones.

The date also marks a new chapter in the life of Moment’s Notice: the first album release. 44:42, out that day on Red Dust, documents one of Nelson’s favourite meetings back in September 2021. Multi-wind player Tamar Osborn, drummer Will Glaser and Kokoroko keyboardist Yohannes Kebede had never played together before, let alone spontaneously composed. Of their collaboration, Nelson says: “That’s everything you want from improvisation, right there. You get the sense that each musician surprised themselves with what they played. The music was incredible – pulsing with polyrhythms, lots of interesting conversations starting, some resolved…” Nelson has recordings of almost every Moment’s Notice night so more albums will follow 44.42, with each titled by the length of the album.

There is nothing random about the bills he puts together. The key to success is matching musicians who share creative DNA rather than surface aesthetics. “You can pique an audience’s interest if you pair Ife Ogunjobi (trumpet) with Rob Luft (guitar). ECM golden boy with young UK Masekela? How’s that gonna work?  Or Angel Bat Dawid with Mark Sanders (photo above) and Jelly Cleaver rather than musicians who come at improv in exactly the same way.

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And Nelson has another clear priority: “Much as I enjoy going to improv gigs,” he says, “I do think the UK improv scene has a slightly old boys’ club feel to it, and I don’t think you can say that about Moment’s Notice. For example, 35 of the 36 nights so far have featured at least one woman, some two, some three. This should be the norm.”

Nelson is not interested in the “timeworn improvising” of noiseplay or the comforts of improvisers who have conversed a little too often. One recent striking match-up was veteran New York-born drummer Gene Calderazzo and Philip Achille (“the most impressive harmonica player I’ve heard in my life”). Calderazzo was initially a little nonplussed, says Nelson. “I told him, ‘Trust me on this one.’ I’ll always remember, right at the end of the set he whispered in my ear, ‘Man, that’s a bad motherf****er.’”

Do musicians ever shy from the challenge? “Surrendering control isn’t easy and it isn’t for everyone. Some will be honest enough to say that it’s outside their comfort zone. Most are up for it though. Musicians generally have an appetite for the unknown, and it always feels as though at least a quarter of the audience are musicians.”

Nelson adds: “I invite musicians who I feel have a creative or energetic commonality. It feels exciting and risky but in a way that isn’t truly hazardous for the individual, because I curate with care. I wouldn’t put them in harm’s way or set them up for a fall – just a situation that’s challenging enough that they go in there not entirely sure how and where exactly they’re going to land. I don’t have a clear idea of how it’s going to play out. If I did, I may as well sit at home and listen to my records!”

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Moments Notice Season 4 Episode 1 and the ’44:42′ album launch will be at Amp Studios, Old Kent Road, London
SE15 1NL on 27 March.
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