The area around the Gibralter Rock pub is alive with the sound of banjos and sousaphones as the annual invasion of tradderie takes place.
The al fresco extravaganza stomps off with Canada's Hot Five Jazzmakers who move away from the image their name projects when Janet Towers puts baritone sax to lips. The girl with the big full sound brings the instruments sonority to the fore. This is exemplified by her rendition of "You Brought a New Kind of Love to me" - poetic in its eloquence. Janet throws in a vocal on the tune and it doesn't hurt a bit.
Canada relinquishes control to Switzerland and the entertaining Yerba Buena Jazz Band who bare no resemblance to their San Fransisco names sakes from way back in the old days of the revival.
This YBJB is a medium sized big band who play much Ellington and even more washboard; 'tis fun. As a matter of embouchurial interest the lead trumpet doubles on tenor sax.
Time runs out on me so I only get to hear one number from France's Red Hot Reed-Warmers. One was enough for me to almost fall in love with Aurélie Tropez's clarinet playing. I say 'almost' as Janet got there first with her baritone! Is there such a crime as musical bigamy?
A very pleasant afternoon with only the hint of a shower.
Lance.
I'm no expert on classic jazz but my impression is that there are a lot of really wonderful young players coming through who are devoted to earlier styles - in Europe especially. And they really know their stuff, both in the playing and deep knowledge of the history etc.
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