Described on the Jazz Cafe website as “a twice-monthly platform for young, straight-ahead jazz musicians” hosted by Bearpark, with an implied exclusive concentration on standards, October’s ‘BABMUS Presents’ gig in the venue’s upstairs room on Thursday 19th pretty much up-ended the advance description.
For a start, the social media publicity for the event billed it as an early Halloween celebration and sure enough, the arriving crowd was greeted by the sight and the slightly singed odour of traditional pumpkins. Not to be outdone, Pam on the door handed out complementary lollies and came close to running out when no less than 40 people turned up.
It was the opening set though that really took BABMUS down a new avenue, with half a dozen well-known soul songs immaculately performed by a boy-girl duo consisting of Bearpark band-leader Tom Bearpark (complete with a surprising falsetto range) and delightful Norwegian guest vocalist Andrea Stykket accompanied by Bearpark’s guitarist Jamie Jingles.
After the break and still with a full and enthusiastic house, the host band took to the stage, Tom (organ) and Jamie being joined by Thomas Dixon (saxes), Stephen Wall (bass) and Adam Watson (drums). They played six tunes, three being originals by the above-mentioned Tom Bearpark, and the last an untitled improvisation. The audience whooped for all of them and well they might. Bearpark gets better and better.
‘BABMUS Presents’ will in future take place monthly, the next being on Thursday 23rd November.
Dave C.
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