Dominic J. Marshall (pno); Sam Vicary (bs); Sam Gardner (dms).(Review by Lance.)
Not the most auspicious start to a gig - band held up in traffic, late start and balance problems on the opening Sleepwalking meant I had to make the decision of hanging around or getting the next 27 bus home.
I hung around. I'd reviewed a CD of the trio awhile back and I knew their capabilities and, lo and behold, the very next number it all came together.
Bud, dedicated to Bud Powell, was quite wonderful with sweeping statements from Marshall. He may be playing 21st century piano but a lot of his chords owe much to Bud even if he does sneak in a few extra extensions of his own into the voicings.
A program of originals, apart from I Should Care which, paradoxically, turned out to be the definitive benchmark in the first set.
"Who wrote it?" asked Marshall. "Who cares?" replied someone in the back row. Well, for those of us not in the back row, it was written by Paul Weston, Axel Stordahl and Sammy Cahn. But, let me tell you this - it was rewritten tonight by Dominic J. Marshall!
This was a good gig and Marshall is quite an astonishing pianist with a technique comparable with a lot of better known names.
He swings! How could he not with Sam Gardner kicking seven shades out of the kit and Vicary laying it down to be obeyed.
Those that made it tonight applauded vociferously. Them that didn't should feel justifiably sad.
I left just before the end to catch the 27. I felt sorry for the driver - he didn't know what he was missing inside the Bridge Hotel.
Lance
1 comment :
Was top stuff - shows what can be done on a keyboard. The last number was fantastic too.
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