Yuya
Honami (drums); Pete Gilligan (piano); Paul Grainger (bass)
(Review
by Ann Alex)
Not your usual jazz trio at all. A hugely enjoyable gig and also simply very
interesting to watch and hear. Not
‘interesting’ the way some reviewers use the word politely to mean ‘not very
good’, but really, truly interesting because of the sound produced and the
nature of the arrangements. The drums were an integral part of the band in an
equal partnership, sometimes leading the tunes, and always playing a full part
in the arrangements, whether in call and response with the piano, beating along
with the piano’s rhythm, introducing riffs to the bass. And what a drummer! People who have been to
the Jazz Café Tuesday jams will have seen this drummer taking the place by
storm. If you haven’t yet seen him, do
so soon, you’re in for a treat. Even if
you don’t like drums!
I hardly need say that the piano and bass
were well up to the job, with some superb solos, Pete flowing along as usual
and Paul playing well, dependable when necessary, walking along well, and
producing beautiful melodies as appropriate.
But it was maybe the arrangements that made the gig, and I suspect that
all three players had a hand in that.
The numbers included Brubeck’s Take Five; Oscar Peterson’s Hymn To Freedom; The Sunny Side of The
Street; Nica’s Dream; Caravan; Strasbourg St Denis(?); Stablemates; My One And
Only Love; Green Dolphin Street. The
final tune of the night before the encore was Brubeck’s Blue Rondo a La Turk. This is one of my all-time favourites – I
loved this track long before I entered the jazz world properly about 4 years
ago, so imagine my delight! I simply
want to laugh out loud when the tune switches from an ethnic sounding tune to
sophisticated jazz within a few bars.
It was good to see the jazz bar full and
many of the audience were new faces, student friends of the drummer. I hope they keep on coming. I’ve missed a few tunes from the list above,
because I was trying to learn serving at the bar, as well as listening to the
music. It’s all part of being involved
in a co-operative, and we are looking for more volunteers to serve in the bar,
on the door, deliver leaflets etc, etc.
Good for your CV. Fancy being a
volunteer? Just thought I’d mention it!
Ann Alex
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