Writer / photographer John Watson attended a workshop with Mike Gibbs and Bill Frisell, and a concert by the Bill Frisell Trio, both events held at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire on 17 May 2024.

John Watson writes:

“Anyone who thinks they’ve got music all figured out – well, they’ve got a problem,” said guitar master Bill Frisell to a packed room of students at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

“I always feel I’m at the beginning. Every time.”

Bill and composer Michael Gibbs – a much-honoured frequent lecturer at the conservatoire – were giving a discussion-based workshop to students on the jazz course, in the intimate setting of the building’s Eastside Jazz Club.

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It was a fascinating encounter, with Bill trying to explain the ephemeral nature of his musical inspiration – how he has to “let go”, and simply play. Seeking the secret sources of his inspiration was, perhaps, like trying to bottle clouds.

Mike was asked a down-to-earth question by a student: “What is the album you are most proud of?” He and Bill laughed, for there have been so many.

“It’s like asking which is your favourite child,” smiled Mike.

However, on reflection, he could perhaps have mentioned a favourite album of mine, “Michael Gibbs and The NDR Big Band Play A Bill Frisell Setlist” (Cuneiform, 2013), which features Gibbs conducting and Frisell as soloist on the guitarist’s compositions “Throughout”, “On The Lookout/Far Away”, “Monica Jane”, and “Freddie’s Step”, plus works by – among others – Gil Evans, Lee Konitz, and Lennon/McCartney, Gibbs’ orchestrations are superb, and it’s a compelling album…or indeed the most recent release “Bill Frisell – Orchestras” (see UKJN feature on the genesis of this album by Ed Puddick).

I was delighted to catch the tail end of the workshop, before photographing Bill with his trio – completed by bassist Thomas Morgan and drummer Rudy Royston – a they rehearsed and soundchecked on the the stage of the Bradshaw Hall, the largest concert venue at the Conservatoire. Their appearance followed concerts in London and Bristol.

I’d first photographed Bill, along with Michael Gibbs, when they appeared in Birmingham in the 1990s at the CBSO Centre, but then photographed them more extensively in 2010 when they rehearsed at the (then) BBC Maida Vale studios in London with the BBC Concert Orchestra, followed by a performance at the Barbican. Before that concert began, I interviewed them jointly in Bill’s dressing room. The interview can be read in full on my Jazzcamera website HERE.

Bill is an immensely likeable person, gentle and considerate, though I’m sure he wouldn’t be happy if a dozen photographers were pointing long lenses at him from the front of the stage.

But discreetly capturing special moments, and expressions which reflect the shifting dynamics of his music, is often a task as elusive as trying to explain his musical inspiration.

I hope these photographs reflect some of the very special moments from his Birmingham rehearsal and concert, where the music flowed majestically and the beginnings were endless.

Bill Frisell, guitar
Thomas Morgan, bass
Rudy Royston, drums