(Review by Russell)
A double bill of familiar names
and faces: regionally based musicians (bassists Andy Champion and John Pope),
national names (Corey Mwamba, Chris Biscoe and Roger Turner) and from France,
Valentin Ceccaldi and Sylvain Darrifourcq. The Northern Rock Hall at Sage
Gateshead attracted the committed. Chris Biscoe performed earlier in the day at
Newcastle University as ‘Biscoe & Co,’ and the
same line-up – Biscoe (reeds), John Pope (double bass) and Roger Turner (percussion) – played a
set of approximately one hour as the ‘Collaborations
Trio’ offering four freely improvised pieces. The quality of the acoustic
was in marked contrast to the ‘difficult’ space of the King’s Hall.
The musicians performed close up,
the audience in raised tiers. Biscoe, in casual lounge suite, displayed a
mastery of his instrument, be it alto, soprano or bass clarinet. The Cat with
the Hat, John Pope, stood his ground, looking and sounding all the more at home
having come through with flying colours at their lunchtime gig. The
The other half of the bill – Sonsale – returned to Tyneside, the
place where it all began. One senses a real friendship between the four
musicians. Corey Mwamba (vibes) is a frequent (and most
welcome) visitor to Tyneside and has struck a vital partnership with bassist Andy Champion. The Frenchmen – Sylvain Darrifourcq (drums) and cellist Valentin Ceccaldi – are master musicians and all round good
guys. The Paris-based duo work across the spectrum, largely Leftfield,
contemporary ‘new’ musics. Darrifourcq, an impish character right out of a
Godard movie, is a phenomenal talent. Some dyed in the wool jazzers would, no
doubt, struggle to hear ‘jazz’ in his playing. No matter, he is one of those
musicians you have to hear before you die (guitarist Mike Papapavlou, currently
studying in NYC, should check him out. Another one for your list Mike!).
Darrifourcq played jazz kit plus.
The ‘plus’ being the entire collection of his (mother’s?) kitchen pots and
pans, alarm clocks and a zither! An amazing musician and well worth a trip to Paris to hear him.
Valentin Ceccaldi made a major
contribution to this Sage performance. Diminutive, seated (all the more so), he
straddles the ‘out’ scene and conventional strings’ settings. This gig heard
him in out mode. And how! Is it legal to inflict violence on a defenceless
cello? In a sustained, brutal attack he set up a glorious finale. Smiles beamed
– Mwamba to Darrifourcq, Darrifourcq to Mwamba. Andy Champion, with ‘game face’
on, couldn’t resist an approving glance, a nod to Ceccaldi to his right. The Girl from Ipanema sprung from
Mwamba’s vibes (your reviewer didn’t pick up on this at the time), the ever
alert Champion latched on to it, one of the joys of the music. There is talk of
Sonsale performing in France .
As and when dates are confirmed they will be posted to this blog and it is
recommended flights be booked to Paris .
Russell.
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