Redemption Jazz @ The Bridge Hotel. September 30

John Hall (tenor saxophone), Jim Hall (keyboards), Keith Tulip (electric bass) & Martin Wake (drums)

Redemption Jazz made a welcome return visit to Splinter at the Bridge. The quartet’s set list comprised original numbers and a few modern jazz standards. The rhythm section - six string (and occasional four string) bassist Keith Tulip and drummer Martin Wake - hit a funk vein from the first note. Brothers Hall - John (tenor) and Jim (keyboards) – seized the opportunity to knock out a series of muscular solos. Quando, Uptight, There’s a Question Mark (with a Latin vibe) and If shot from the hip. Chick Corea’s La Fiesta, with Tulip’s flamenco inspired intro, then the Breckers’ high octane Some Skunk Funk defined the sound of the quartet. Jim Hall manufactured a Fender Rhodes sound on the up tempo original Inspector then took it down on Moods, the one ballad of the evening. These boys have a liking for Latin/flamenco numbers; two numbers - Corea’s Spain and another original El Loco were well received by a small but appreciative audience. Jim Hall found some beautiful chords on Blue Trane inviting brother John to stretch out on tenor. An encore was called for and the band sent us on our way with God Bless the Child.

Russell