(Review by Lance/photos courtesy of Ken Drew).
In the early days of Bebop Spoken Here one of the names most frequently mentioned in dispatches was that of David Carnegie. He popped up all over the place. At the Side Café, the old Jazz Café, The Chilli, the Cherry Tree to name but a few. Whether with the Alan Glen Trio, a jam session (often on piano) or his own forward looking Extreme Measures, one thing stood out - he could play!
Fast forward seven years - now he can really play big time!
All five members of the quintet provided original material that went down a treat with this Schmazz audience, many of whom had fond memories of David C's previous tenure here.
The clever use of tenor and voice brought Norma Winstone to mind, Stefanie has that same ability to create a meaningful wordless solo without going down the scat route. Konrad W's soloing on tenor and soprano was that of a caged eagle released into the wild, and I use the word advisedly, he swooped and soared taking no prisoners along the way.
David P on keyboard also excelled both as a soloist and a composer. His composition for the trio - The Blissfulness of Ellington - an absolute delight.
Jay Kilbride provided Contraindicatations. What the title means I haven't the slightest idea but the music meant another walk on the wild side. Superb bass playing with intonation spot on.
I've deliberately left David Carnegie till last - in a week that has been a good one for drummers (Yuya Honami, Russ Morgan) - he was phenomenal. Driving, pushing, striving - imagine a combination of Art Blakey,Tony Williams, Jon Hiseman and Ginger Baker and you'd be getting close but not close enough. He is very much his own man, not just as a drummer, but a composer too.
Talk Back Blues, a 12 bar by the drummer with lyric by Stefanie - one of the few of her numbers with words (her own composition Crayons was another) - a medium paced shuffle that had Konrad blowing 'walking the bar' tenor and Patrick incorporating Splanky into his solo.
This is a band that I suspect may be only part way to delivering its full potential. On tonight's performance, part way will satisfy me!
Woo Hoo!
Lance.
2 comments :
Spot on Lance - it was a great gig with loads of potential unleashed and possibly more to be found next time we see them if they continue playing like that !
Wonderful !!
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