On BIG VISIT, Simcock and Rawicz strike a rare balance between technical brilliance and emotional depth.
ACT Music
Emma Rawicz – Tenor & Soprano Saxophone; Gwilym Simcock – Piano
Emma Rawicz is a young London-based saxophonist, composer, and bandleader whose star has been rising fast in the jazz world. Winner of Jazz Newcomer of the Year at the 2022 Parliamentary Jazz Awards, she’s also been a BBC Young Musician Jazz finalist and a Jazz FM Awards nominee. Her album, Chroma, is shaped by her chromesthesia—a rare form of synesthesia in which she experiences sound as color.
Gwilym Simcock is one of Europe’s most versatile pianists and composers, moving easily between jazz and classical music. Critics have praised his playing as brilliant and his compositions as both intricate and inviting.
When Simcock and Rawicz teamed up, something special happened—BIG VISIT doesn’t feel tentative at all. It’s two artists from different generations who just click, speaking the same musical language without missing a beat.
They recorded in Curtis Schwarz’s peaceful studio in the West Sussex countryside in Southern England. There’s this relaxed, intimate feel running through the whole album – like they had all the time in the world to create together. The duo format works perfectly for them, blending their classical backgrounds with jazz improvisation in a way that feels like a genuine conversation.
‘His Great Adventure,’ a tribute to Simcock’s young son, kicks off the album. Simcock’s piano cascades across the keyboard while Rawicz’s sax shifts effortlessly between delicate and forceful. Throughout the album, Simcock’s playing is astonishing – his left and right hands working so independently you’d swear there were two pianists. Rawicz brings this warm tone with just a touch of vibrato, showing amazing control in the upper register, occasionally letting out an expressive squeal that punctuates her melodic explorations.
Simcock and Rawicz begin ‘The Shape Of A New Sun’ with delicate piano notes as the soprano sax flits around like a bird poised for flight. Sustained notes hang in the air before she’s off on spontaneous melodic flights. The piano takes off in a joyous run, Simcock’s left hand goes way beyond mere timekeeping, leading a second conversation with rich harmonies and unexpected melodic turns.
‘Optimum Friction’ highlights their tight rhythmic connection, kicking off with unison lines before Rawicz’s sax breaks free with a wailing melody over Simcock’s steady comping. His walking bass lines, colored with subtle harmonic shifts, lay down a strong foundation for this high-energy piece. Its title hints at the raw, clashing harmonies in the piano’s opening riff.
Their take on Stevie Wonder’s ‘Visions’ shows their love for music beyond jazz. Simcock opens with delicate, spacious playing, setting a reflective mood before Rawicz’s saxophone adds a touch of melancholy. Simcock’s fluid, expressive touch—almost impressionistic—evokes the lush harmonies of Ravel or Debussy.
On BIG VISIT, Simcock and Rawicz strike a rare balance between technical brilliance and emotional depth. Their influences—Keith Jarrett, Jan Garbarek, and the British jazz lineage of Wheeler, Taylor, and Winstone—shape their sound without overshadowing their individuality. The title captures both the album’s shifting moods, from serene to electrifying, and the significance of these two artists joining forces.
