Ella El-Salahi @ King’s Hall. April 23

(Review by Russell).

Final year music student Ella El-Salahi sang at this week’s Thursday afternoon student performances session in King’s Hall, Newcastle University. The Newcastle University Jazz Orchestra vocalist performed two numbers – Angel Eyes and Omar’s The Man. On the first tune El-Salahi worked in the company of tenor saxophonist Faye MacCalman (herself a final year undergraduate). Expressive in voice, rich timbres, confident.

MacCalman’s work done, El-Salahi invited Jamie Lawson to join her on The Man. The pianist (another accomplished final year student) provided accompaniment on Omar’s soulful song. Omar has star appeal and so does Ella. She wrought every ounce of heart-felt passion from the tune. Yes, Ella, you’re a star.

The four o’clock hour long performance set featured several other student contributions including a flamenco-inspired group with a strings section, a live coding set (Apple Mac) and, as a finale, ear plugs were handed out for Andrew Richardson’s Snails with Nails. A worried-looking crowd made use of the plugs, your reviewer would have none of it. Drums, guitar and bass. Masks and painted faces, the trio attempted to blow apart the venerable seat of learning. Motorhead/Slayer/Death Metal/ Noise, bouncing around, jumping off an amp, head-banging, constant feedback, it was loud, but it wasn’t that LOUD. Pardon me?

Lifeless, sheet-white painted zombies joined the naughty boy rockers, standing eerily still until the destructive end game. Richardson smashed his drum kit to pieces (sort of), guitar thrown to the floor, feedback crackling, in rushed men in white coats to cart-off the boys to the mad house. Good fun. Does mummy know what you get up to at Uni?

The Final Year Recitals are scheduled for next month (May). The good news is that most of the jazz students will perform not on campus but at the Jazz Café on Pink Lane. Open to the public, free admission, recommended. Stay tuned to Bebop Spoken Here for details nearer the time.   

Russell.