Glowrogues @ Empty Shop - October 18

Sam Healey (alto), ? (tenor), Aaron Diaz (trumpet & electronics), Ben Watte (keys), Dan Brew (guitar), Jamie Brewster (bass) & Jim Molyneux (drums)

(Review by Russell)

Dance the Story is one of the tunes on Manchester-based Glowrogues’ debut download album Live at Jazz Plus Presents. The seven-piece band is touring its new ‘product’ on a word-of-mouth, social media whirlwind tour, and, at Durham’s Empty Shop, band and audience danced the night away. At this gig Glowrogues’ record label had a very local connection. Founders Charles and Chris knew all about the venue having recently graduated from Durham University. Now London-based, their Jazz Plus Presents business partnership inked in a Durham date on Glowrogues’ autumn tour.

Empty Shop has quickly established itself on Durham’s cultural map. It would be difficult to imagine the city without its welcoming presence – that’s a measure of the impact the venue has made in the short time it has been up and running. Glowrogues suited the upstairs room to a tee and vice versa with the band (and audience) at home in the chilled atmosphere. An all-standing gig, the Jazz Plus guys plastered the walls with the Jazz Plus + logo. Glowrogues hit on a groove and didn’t move off it all night. Bandleader Jim Molyneux’s subtle yet complex rhythms were hip-hop, dance groove ‘in-the-pocket’ creations stacked on top of vocal samples and a frontline horn section letting rip.    

Jamie Brewster’s monster bass lines sparked Sam Healey’s blistering solos. The alto playing, one-time member of Beats and Pieces Big Band, generated much excitement as Empty Shop’s dancing full house roared its approval. Pianist Ben Watte wasn’t far behind with his own mega solos. Aaron Diaz stayed his hand until the second set. First set trumpeter Diaz fed electronic beats into the mix, second set he stepped up, horn on a clip mic, to blow some You’re Under Arrest-era inspired Miles.

Sam Healey called Dan Brew the band’s ‘secret weapon’. The Apes Grapes’ guitarist (Glowrogues’ bassist Jamie Brewster is a bandmate) conjured an impressive intro to a self-penned tune winning applause as the band piled in behind him. The Cinematic Orchestra and Snarky Puppy are but two of their contemporaries with which they are said to hold something in common. Perhaps, but better to think of them as new wave in-the-groove soul-stirrers.                     

Russell.