Maciek Pysz Trio @ The Globe Jazz Bar - Nov. 22

Maciek Pysz (gtrs); Yuri Goloubev (bs); Asaf Sirkis (dms).
(Review by Lance/Photos courtesy of Ken Drew).

Newcastle United lost 3-0 to Leicester City but, the big losers in Newcastle on Saturday were those who weren't at the Globe Jazz Bar for what could be the gig of the year, musicwise, for the Jazz Coop.

Maciek Pysz, an original and outstanding Polish guitarist, the legendary Asaf Sirkis, who must be ranked among the best kit-men anywhere, and Yuri Goloubev - a bassist of great dexterity. This was the real deal and how sad that so few made the effort.

However, those that did applauded louder than those supporters in the Leazes' End at St. James' Park - hmm, bad analogy!

From the start it was obvious that this was going to be something special. Using a Godin Multiac SA 1, a nylon strung semi-acoustic guitar, Pysz had the audience enthralled.  The beautiful sound that only a nylon strung guitar can give, coupled with a fleetness of finger that only the most agile of players can pull off, told us we were in the presence of, not just a master craftsman, but an original artist.

The material, mainly from his two previous albums and, in particular, his latest one - A Journey. varied in both mood and tempo reflecting many of the places he'd visited. Water Streets, a musical portrait of Venice, being just such a one, 

Desert was dedicated to the great flamenco guitarist Paco Di Lucio who died last year. There is lots of flamenco influences in Pysz' own playing even though this contained the most swing-like music of the night.

As well as the Godin, Pysz also used a Tanglewood steel strung cutaway utilising a selection of pedals. Totally different mood but my leaning was to the Spanish guitar

Three musicians from three different countries each bringing their own ethnic flavour and none more so than Asaf Sirkis. The London based Israeli opted to use the house drum kit, albeit with eccentricities of his own added, giving a masterclass in drumming the like of which hasn't been heard at the Globe even though there have been many outstanding players at the venue; but Asaf is something else.

So is Moscow's Yuri Goloubev! As resonant a double bass tone as I've heard and, when playing arco, as sonorous as a cello. The three of them gelled and intertwined like only a band that has worked together in the studio and on the road over a period of time can.

Apart from the photos, Ken Drew also did the sound producing a fine individual balance.

Perhaps the most poignant moment was on Somebody we Knew (or was it Peacefully Waiting?)with reference to Paris. The audience applauded and the emotion could be felt in the playing.
Photos.

Lance.