More on Sonny Rollins at the Barbican.

(This comment, I decided is worthy of a seperate posting - Lance.)

We endorse everything said about the Mark Toomey Quartet at the Cherry Tree. A wonderful evening of jazz and a credit to the local jazz scene.

With reference to the Sonny Rollins Concert at the Barbican, which we and the family had the privilege of being there, it was the best jazz concert I have ever been to, for many reasons.

"The living embodiment of a great tradition" was Geoffrey Smith's description as he welcomed the band to the stage. How many musicians get a standing ovation before they actually get onto the stage, and at 79 years old give a performance with such enthusiasm and most of all, the creativity, was something to be seen (and heard of course)?

The fullness of his tone was all there and the band with him was first/world class. Bob Cranshaw on bass, Clifton Anderson on trombone, Bobby Broom on Guitar, a percussionist called Victor.Y.See Yuen, and a sensational drummer in Kobie Watkins; all having a ball and thoroughly enjoying backing the great Sonny Rollins.

Having said that, Sonny was very gracious and featured all of them throughout the concert, having the great respect for each other reciprocated, not allowing ego's to get in the way of what was great music.

Some of the tunes played were 'Someday I'll find you'', "They say that falling in love is wonderful", "St.Thomas" and of course "Don't stop the carnival", every tune being fully explored and no stone unturned (in improvisational terms), before Sonny would take it out.

He played one set lasting approximately 90 minutes finishing with the aforementioned 'Don't stop the Carnival' and again receiving his second standing ovation of the night lasting many minutes but returned only to give a wave to the standing adulating audience.

Following that, you felt that the audience almost danced out of the Barbican with huge smiles on their faces with the haunting melody of 'Don't stop the Carnival' still ringing in their heads, knowing that they had all seen and witnessed one of the worlds greatest musicians still playing at a level beyond comprehension. Long may the 'Carnival' continue, and we hope Sonny Rollins continues to give the world so much pleasure listening to the sound of genius improvising tenor saxophone.

Ron Ainsborough.

(Photo courtesy of Derek Cogger).