(Review by Ann Alex)
Just in case
there’s anyone out there who hasn't come across Jambone, they are the Sage’s
own Regional Youth Jazz Ensemble. They
did themselves, the Sage, and jazz itself proud in this introduction to the
NYJO Orchestra concert.
The young players sounded
very together, smooth, exciting, with lots of good solo work and interesting
arrangements. They’d been doing
workshops this week with local jazzman Paul Edis, and also Tim Garland – I’d
like to bet that it was hard work and great fun too.
First came the 4
pieces that Paul had written for them, played back to back, with Paul
conducting, starting with Hefty Boots,
a tribute to Neal Hefti, a slow slinky swing with just a suggestion of Hefti’s
arrangement for Count Basie of Li’l Darlin’.
This was followed by Vignette,
concerning a French couple, featuring the horns and Bradley Johnston on guitar;
Ballade, (speaks for itself) and Loop The Loop, with its many short
solos. The work with madly talented sax
man Tim Garland followed giving the band a chance to show some of the more
avant-garde aspects of their playing.
It’s so good that top musicians like Edis and Garland are willing to work with and
encourage these young musicians of the future, and provide such entertainment
for us in the audience too. A great
start to the festival for me.
Ann
Alex
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