Graham
Hardy (trumpet), Mark Williams (guitar), Neil Harland (bass) & Adam
Sinclair (drums) + Susan Hamilton (vocals)
(Review by Russell)
Freddie Hubbard’s Red Clay to Donald Byrd’s The Emperor marked out the territory
Graham Hardy & co would cover at this Jazz Café gig. A round of solos
warmed the digits on the opening number. Trumpeter Hardy’s compositions stand
comparison in a crowded funk market; Wild
Monkey Dance (perfect material for Horn Dogs or the pup Northern Monkey
Brass Band) hit a groove as Neil Harland’s constantly shifting bass lines kept
the audience/band guessing. Shuddering reggae rhythms wove in and out of
funking glorious inventions.
Bill Evan’s Funkallero (a
tangential touchstone) featured guitarist Mark Williams who crafted yet another
immaculate, high octane solo. Susan Hamilton joined the party, albeit briefly,
with a soulful Nature Boy. Having
done her thing she didn’t hang around too long. Next time let’s hear another
couple of numbers. The first set concluded with Terence Blanchard’s Over There, a slow burning piece,
Williams conjuring chords, Hardy teasing a solo out of the ether.
The Emperor set the tempo for the second set. Harland’s electric
bass punched out a succession of killer grooves (somewhere in there Williams
invented the chord of chords!) as drummer Adam Sinclair, hidden at the back
under the stairs, changed gear at will. Trumpeter Chris Botti (he of the smooth
jazz world) seemed unlikely source material but Hardy’s take on Cubism worked surprisingly well.
Original material is to be encouraged, particularly when it’s as good as Melon Felon and Theme from Shifty. The former is perfect New Orleans large ensemble fayre; infectious
groove, space to create, fun to play. All four excelled. Funkalleros surface occasionally,
so next time, Horn Dog or Monkey, get on down.
Russell.
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