(Review by Ann Alex).
Last
week was one of my favourite weeks of the year, when the students from the
Newcastle Uni Folk and Traditional Music degree give their assessed
performances – we got 12 free 40-minute concerts, great value for no
money. The standard seems to rise year
by year and the performers communicate well with the audiences. You’ll be asking me what this has to do with
a jazz blog, all this unaccompanied song, folk fiddles, flutes, bodhrans? I always watch for jazz elements and other
items which I think will be of interest.
The
most unusual thing I saw onstage was 2 people playing 1 fiddle, I kid you not,
a woman played the fiddle in the usual way and a percussionist tapped the top of
the fingerboard with what appeared to be 2 thin metal sticks, adding a pleasing
percussive rhythm, making a satisfying tune.
The percussionist was Callum
Younger, a grandson from the well known folk family, the Elliotts of
Birtley. He was brilliant on his chosen instrument, the bodhran, a 1-sided
Irish drum which is held on your lap.
This instrument can produce different tones and unbelievable rhythms,
especially jigs and reels of course.
Then we had Bevan Morris, a second
year student who was much in demand as a double bass player, so he appeared on
stage with many different line-ups.
Another great musician, I’ll be watching for him appearing at jazz
venues and I can’t wait for his final recital in 2 years time. Folk music has developed well, you wouldn’t
have seen a double bass on stage, even 20 years ago.
And
I must mention The Backyard Rhythm
Orchestra, led by Luke
Phillips-Griffiths on flute, comprising trombone, clarinet, guitar,
accordion, synth, drum kit, and also Katy
Trigger on bass. They did a dynamic
set of Balkan music, reels, Macedonian tunes and Klezmer music, very exciting
stuff. You can hear them for yourself at
Gateshead Old Town Hall on Sunday June 7, when they take part in a concert in
memory of Keith Morris. Proceeds go to
the Musicians Union.
Be
there!
Ann Alex.
No comments :
Post a Comment