Latin Jazz Groove @ Hoochie Coochie - August 25

Debra Milne (vcl); Steve Summers (ten/sop/fl/perc); Alan Law (keys); Bradley Johnston (gtr); Katy Trigger (bs gtr); Mark Robertson (dms).

(Review by Lance).

A formidable line-up! After an impressive instrumental opener, Ms. Milne managed to convey a suggestion of Brazil with Antonio Carlos Jobim's Wave, although the weather outside was more related to the rain forests of that country. This really is a weekend for Latinos with Havana Club 5 at Bar Loco on Saturday and the Argentinian Tango Jazz Quartet at The Globe on Monday.

After Equinox, Steve Summers played a cadenza-like intro on soprano to Spain before Debra joined the party. I'm always impressed by the way she handles the difficult lyric at speed and in unison with Summers sax.

Dr Summers was in fine form on his various instruments which included congas, cabasas, tambours and other mysterious rhythmic devices as well as soprano, tenor and flute.

Afro Blue and Senor Blues were others featured in the first set. Alan Law, resplendent in a Cuban titfer, was as ever the man for the job whilst Bradley, making his Hoochie debut, didn't fail - does he ever? Mark and Katy kept it all together and Debra was - well Debra! Ambitious as always in her choice of material - fortune favours the brave! 

I left before the end, bloodied, but unbowed! No, I hadn't been in a punch-up but, for some inexplicable reason, I suffered a nose bleed! The claret flowed as freely as that of the loser of a one-sided Pier Six brawl, and, although a temporary solution was accorded, I felt obliged to leave before the end, rejecting the suggestion that the good doctor should lay down his sax and apply his wisdom to my plight. A piece of paper towel stemmed the flow which is probably what he too would have prescribed. Nor was I ready to approach Debra - she's a pathologist!

Photos.
Lance.