CHILLY GONZALES (London Rough Trade East, 09/04/15)
 

I don't normally blog about in-stores but bloody hell, this was a good 'un. Even though it was "just" an early evening freebie, we got no less than 70 minutes of prime Chilly tinkling the ivories and imparting unto us compositional theory with his trademark flair and humour. This time he's partnered with a string quartet, who both ornament his own material, and provide colour to his explanations of how music actually works, covering everything from the violin techniques utilised in Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" to the use of arpeggios by musicians from Beethoven to Daft Punk. Brilliant, illuminating and always worth your time.