The J Word – Hall 1, The Sage, Gateshead, April 28, 2013

Trilok Gurtu (percussion), Paolo Fresu (Trumpet/Flugelhorn), Omar Sosa (Piano/Keyboards)

(Review by Les)

I came into this performance knowing of, but not being particularly familiar with, all three players.

Due to poor ticket sales The Sage were offering tickets to attendees of this year's Gateshead International Jazz Festival for £5 each, in the hope of getting a few bums on seats.  Sadly, even at this price the attendance was poor, with not much more than 100 people making up the audience.

Still, we were enthusiastic, and royally entertained.  A fantastic evening's entertainment, from three unique luminaries of the Jazz World.  They oozed charisma and class, moving from huge washes of sound to upbeat, multi-rhythm, interwoven tapestries, way down to the most delicate and simple melodies with effortless charm and warmth.

Over the course of about an hour and a quarter they played five numbers, each musician having ample opportunity to demonstrate their taste, skills and character for the benefit of the piece.

They covered a lot of ground, from moody atmospherics with the horn hovering over a brooding wash, to very upbeat, latin-american hip-twitchers.

Support came from two Scots, Fraser Fifield and Graeme Stephen, a kind of traditional Scottish folk/jazz crossover.  Even from a first listen, they've found an interesting and enjoyable niche.

All in all, a pleasure and a privilege to have been there.

Les.