Dean Stockdale (piano); Noel Dennis (trumpet/flugel).
(Review by Lance).
From Russell's review of the latest CD by the Dean Stockdale Trio (previous post) those, if any, who were unfamiliar with the pianist's work will surely have got the message that the man is a formidable player. Take away bass and drums but add the melodic horn playing of Noel Dennis and we have the makings of another sound Jazz Café duo set.
Amazingly, Stockdale hadn't brought any of his CDs to hawk which must surely be a first for any musician playing a gig!
The duo kicked off with Beautiful Love and it soon became apparent that we were in for a treat. A low-key one perhaps but nonetheless a treat.
Dennis switched to flugelhorn for Watch What Happens before returning to trumpet for Nostalgia in Times Square.
It had been awhile since I'd last heard the brass man and, in these early numbers, the Chet Baker/Miles approach seemed to have been replaced by a more individual, more contemporary sound. Stockdale continues to spread the Gospel according to St. Oscar and, like the late great Canadian is not averse to throwing in a stride chorus or three.
More flugel on My Funny Valentine, an uptempo Autumn Leaves, and a swashbuckling Freddie Freeloader brought us to the intermission. Lots of the aforementioned stride piano in the latter piece.
Off again with There Will Never be Another You the Chet Baker influence was now seeping through whilst Miles showed his face on that seasonal tune from Porgy and Bess.
Stockdale had a solo piano feature on Over the Rainbow. After a long and complex intro, it finally modulated into as fine a version as any you're likely to find on either side of the Yellow Brick Road.
Lyrical trumpet on Love For Sale, pure Miles on All Blues then, finally, Now's the Time (to make my way through the fleshpots of Newcastle on a Friday night - somebody's got to do it - and catch the number 27).
It had been an enjoyable evening by two very able musicians. Let's hear them again soon.
Lance.
1 comment :
That seasonal tune from 'Porgy and Bess'is a musical version of the elephant in the room, the song we dare not mention when Lance is around. It goes 'da dee da' etc. Ann Alex
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