A showdown between the two players with the most comprehensive techniques in jazz --
Borah Bergman and
Evan Parker. As a pianist,
Bergman breaks down all distinctions between the left and right hands; his style is a multi-layered counterpoint of extreme sophistication and complexity. The equally hyper-dextrous
Parker comes as close as any saxophonist ever has to playing counterpoint on a single-line instrument. At full steam,
Parker's soprano lines are a continuous, mercuric flow, covering all registers of the horn, segmented by his incredibly fleet and precise articulations. These players do not really complement one another -- in many ways, they're just too much alike -- but neither is likely to find another so technically advanced. Scary and brilliant music. ~ Chris Kelsey