James Harrison (pno); John Pope (bs); Tom Chapman (dms).
(Review by Lance).
Despite their relative youth, there's no lack of maturity in the playing. Close your eyes and you'd be forgiven for thinking that these were seasoned veterans - which in a way they are. Harrison graduated from the Sage Gateshead Bmus course and soon found himself being sought after, not only as a jazz pianist but also as a pantomime MD!
John Pope has, amazingly, been on the scene for 15 years so maybe he's not quite a youth whilst Tom Chapman, as well as being a top class drummer, is also an in-demand arranger.
Irrespective of their ages, the playing exudes youthful zeal - Music is fun! It's entertainment. We're enjoying yourselves and we want you to party along with us.
We did! Maybe not physically but mentally we had a ball.
The unlikely Bourbon St. Parade kicked things off at tempo de lick - the axeman wouldn't be calling here today!* New Orleans style marching drums from Chapman. That's All; Our Day Will Come; Secret Love; a piece by flautist Dave Valentin. Latin based, Chapman's hand drumming and a frenzied finale had the lady sitting behind me exclaim in my ear "5 stars"! "At least" I replied!
An untitled Snarky Puppy piece, down home, gospel feel, great groove before the Theme from Monsters Inc. which Harrison rightly pointed out was very like Hoagy's Old Rockin' Chair. The piano double bass exchanges were something else.
Chapman in the forefront for Southern Samba and Harrison played what may have been his only quote of the day - a few bars of Moon Dance. See I told you he'd matured!
Thankfully, Andrew Lloyd Webber doesn't feature too often on jazz gigs however, Harrison's version of Phantom of the Opera could change all that - providing ALW doesn't take a contract out on him!
Strasbourg - St-Denis brought to a close an afternoon that was just about as good as it gets.
Lance.
1 comment :
Thanks Lance!
A.L.Webber has already put the contract out. Had multiple attempts on my life tonight!
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