(Review by Jerry E)
Young?
“Average age 15?” suggested the MD. This seemed to ruffle the feathers of band
members and after much head-scratching and mental maths they came up with
“about 17”. I still think that’s young to have built up so much experience and
to perform jazz live with such maturity. This stems from the excellent rapport
between band members and their MD, who invariably treats them like fellow
professionals rather than young tyros. Age established, they launched into I’ll
Remember April on which James Metcalf soloed impressively as did everyone
else (if you count trading fours) apart from the guitarists whose opportunities
soon came with Matthew Downey taking the lead on Nature Boy ditto Alex
Shipsey’s bass on So What?
Gifted?
After the tight ensemble playing and the aforementioned solos in the first four
numbers (Eddie Vinson’s Four was the other) no-one can question
the talent. MD, Edis, takes it as read, preparing them “in true jazz style” with
“very little direction” allowing them to spread their wings which they did on
“the band’s anthem”, Lady Bird. All were flying now, having
really relaxed into the gig.
Blue Bossa followed and was, briefly, my favourite tune of the set with appealing
harmonies from the combination of flute, alto and trumpet. I say “briefly”
because it was swiftly ousted by the next-but-one tune, the set-closer Blues
Walk. Yardbird Suite, the penultimate number, was mighty good as
well with Alex Thompson impressive on alto (not for the first time this
evening!).
Blues Walk illustrated the adaptability of the musicians, performed as it was
with “a bit of a New Orleans thing going on”. There were duelling saxophones, a
section where keys, guitars and drums went silent leaving just the horns centre
stage and more fours with Matthew MacKellar reminding us again how much Bebop
readers’ loss will be Berklee’s gain! Adaptability was seen too when the
guitarists and Ben Lawrence (excellent contributions all night) slotted
straight into the big band set which followed the interval.
All in
all, an excellent set, well received.
Jerry.
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