Dave Weisser (vocals, cornet); Alan Law (piano); Jude Murphy (flute); Peter Ninnim (drums)
(Review by Ann Alex)
This was advertised as a duo with Dave and Alan, but it had morphed into a quartet, such is jazz. And the additions were more than welcome. Jude was brilliant on flute, with both sweet and husky tones, sometimes it seemed like both together, swirling, jabbing, bending, some of the best flute I’ve heard for ages, in both jazz and folk company. Peter kept the beats going in the well-competent manner that we’ve come to depend on. And Alan had been teaching that afternoon at the Sage/ Jazz Co-op workshop: if he was tired it didn’t show as he was playing like the master that he is.
A good thing about this gig was the chance to listen to a man singing for a change, as far more women do it locally. The style was easy, relaxing to hear, with occasional higher pitched tones and well placed scat, with interludes of muted cornet, a wonderfully evocative sound, which reminds me of New York. I’ve never been there, so this is completely from my imagination, such is jazz.
The playlist included All Blues; Girl Talk (with amended less sexist words); The Life I live; Dindi (with the verse); a slow version of Makin Whoopee; Nature Boy (as requested by someone in the audience); Fool’s Paradise (a warning against drink and fast living); Retro Logic (a Steely Dan song); Estate; Willow Weep, and one or two others that I didn’t catch the titles of. A typical arrangement from the band was the way they tackled Little Sunflower: Cornet and flute played in harmony, gorgeous sound, then the flute went lower, Alan appeared with a lively piano solo, then came the voice with quick flute comments between lines of the song.
Yet another successful offering from the Jazz Co-op. The next 2 gigs feature younger musicians, The Bradley Johnson Trio next Saturday 10, then the following Thursday 15, we have Not Now Charlie.
Be there!
Ann Alex
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