Judith Thompson (vln), Willie Angus, Mathew Office (gtr), Jack Lowes (bs).-----
Dave Weisser (tpt/vcl), Mathew Office (gtr), Jim Crinson (bs), Barrie Ascroft (pno), Eric Stutt (dms.)
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Another good evening at The Chilli with a stomping set by The Hot House Dragons being the icing on the cake.
Perhaps not as well known collectively as some of the other 'gypsies' lurking in the caravan park the 'Dragons' are, nevertheless, un equipe formidable.
Judith does the Grappelli thing with much aplomb - watch and listen to her sail effortlessly through "Dinah", "Stella By Starlight", "Sweet Georgia Brown", "Georgia on my Mind" and "Lady Be Good" - and Lady Judith can swing good - witness a scintillating version of "Bernie's Tune" and "It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing".
The two guitarists offered contrasting approaches. Willie, more like Django, with his Takemine amplified acoustic had that hard metallic sound associated with the idiom whereas young Mathew had the smoother post Django sound. A nice thing about this band is that they add folkier elements into the mix so that it isn't totally Djangolic and they didn't play "Nuages"! Also, unlike many gypsy jazzers, lead and rhythm isn't set out on plectrums of stone which means both players are given equal solo space which they used to display their talents effectively. Jack, on bass soloed imaginatively and kept the pulse rock steady. A band to watch.
Earlier, The Take it to the Bridge gang had played a satisfying set with Barrie Ascroft in particularly fine form. He was up there with the best tonight - his double helping of "Winter Wonderland" more than did justice to that much maligned song; Dave's vocal too was something else verging onto Tormé/Greco territory by way of Bobby McFerrin. For the finale both bands combined for a spirited blast on "St. Thomas".
There were some illustrious visitors tonight. Paul Booth's parents were in town and it was good to meet them. They run the Harbour Jazz Club in Ramsgate and seem to get some decent names including of course their son so, any time you're Ramsgate way...
No Jazz next week - room let out for private function - back on 16th with Alan Glen Trio.
Lance.
1 comment :
. tis was cool djazzyschmazz
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