(Review by Russell)
A collector’s item. This line-up is unlikely to be
heard ever again on CD or any other format. A band comprising classicists,
scientists and other disciplines, these guys will, in a year or two, go their separate ways (some
graduated this year, they’re out of here)
establishing careers here in Britain and across the globe. University
bands come and go. The Durham University Big Band of 2015 vintage is one of the
very best.
Tristan Bacon, the band’s president, Charles Price,
band manager and MD Chris Jones should be congratulated on documenting the
array of talent heard on overDUBB. It
is a band with an enviable track record – winning awards at the Great North Big
Band Jazz Festival has become routine! – and the eight selections on this CD
are a mixture of the standard big band
repertoire and the new. The Oscar-winning film Whiplash hit British cinema screens in time to have a winning
impact on the band, so it’s great that the then-tune-of-the-moment Overture (Whiplash) makes the cut.
Drummer Tristan Bacon sets a tempo and Matthew Jacobs (keyboards) and Matt
McKernan (tenor) contribute bang-on solos. The band’s alto man Dan Garel
composed and arranged Of Wood and Water.
The aforementioned Bacon and Jacobs are heard to good effect, as is Sam Clark
(trumpet).
Star vocalist Laura Paul sings on Do Better. Star vocalist? You bet! Heard live, Ms Paul projects
flawless vocals a la Norma Winstone, a neo-soul/hip hop approach of which the
great Soweto Kinch would no doubt approve. From the hip to the hip…Sammy
Nestico. Hayburner presents the band,
the full ensemble. Sections at work, Basie-ites should have few complaints. The
awards in the band’s trophy cabinet include the Durham Distillery Composition
Prize 2014 for JJ Wheeler’s Homage.
Contemporary, sprawling, sketching across a big band canvas, Dan Garel’s alto
solo the focal point, award-winning guitarist Ollie Farley takes it home. To be
listened to again, and again.
The soulful Laura Paul comes in after Farley’s chorded
intro to Mind, a Hoochie Coochie girl
if ever there was one. J Dilla’s Fall in
Love keeps the vibe going and keeps Ms Paul on the stand. Garel features
once more as the band changes tempo at will, ne’er a hip-hop beat dropped.
Scott Chapman’s Barcarolle closes the
album. Brass and reeds excel (Chris Jones, trombone), Bacon’s drumming holds it
all together, McKernan’s tenor blows again and a final trumpet salvo from Sam
Clark stills the orchestra.
Durham University Big Band –
overDubb is a Jazz Plus
Productions release available by contacting the band. www.uni.bigband@durham.ac.uk
The quality of the recording is of a very high standard. overDUBB is highly recommended. Hearing the band live (check Bebop
Spoken Here’s listings) cannot fail to impress. Go hear them!
Russell.
Durham University Big Band: Daniel Garel (alto
saxophone), Felicity Evans (alto saxophone), Matt McKernan (tenor saxophone),
John Somerton (tenor saxophone), Naomi Tansey (baritone saxophone), Noah
Lawrence (trumpet), Sam Clark (trumpet), Rasmus Borowski (trumpet), Charles
Price (trumpet), Nathaniel Jackson (trombone), Chris Jones (trombone), Joshua
Harper (trombone), Luke Bentley (trombone), Matthew Jacobs (keyboards), Ollie
Farley (guitar), Jonathan Berry (bass), Tristan Bacon (drums) & Laura Paul
(vocals)
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