Jasper Høiby Masterclass @ The Music Department, Durham University - December 2

(Report by Russell)

Lunchtime, Saturday, Palace Green. The ‘Green’ was covered by the biggest marquee ever seen this side of a so-called ‘high society’ wedding ‘do’. A Christmas market, three quid admission and the place was buzzing. The adjacent Durham Cathedral was open for business, doing very nicely, as was Durham Castle on the other side of the temporarily covered ‘Green’, thank you very much.

Durham University Jazz Society invited Jasper Høiby to conduct a masterclass on Palace Green. The London-based Dane happened to be ‘up north’ in Wakefield on Friday evening with his band Fellow Creatures and an afternoon engagement in Durham the next day appeared to be an ideal arrangement for all concerned as Durham Cathedral’s bells rang out.

Bells pealed, and pealed, and pealed. Durham University’s ancient Music Department was hosting a symposium about something or other in a room to the left, and turning right through the door, the masterclass, soon to begin, would be conducted in peace once the bell ringing was done. DUJS’s Dan Garel and Tristan Bacon were making last minute preparations prior to bassist Høiby’s arrival,  and a student colleague was doing something important on a laptop. The Dane arrived and made for the first floor common room. Student musicians, the masterclass participants, started to arrive, student style, ie. in their own time. The stage set, Steinway grand at one side, Tristan’s drum kit at the other (in front of another, covered, Steinway).

Bells pealed, and pealed, and pealed. A relaxed Høiby strolled in, water, possibly coffee, in hand. Final year music student Dan Garel (seen and heard on killing alto at the Jazz Café’s jam session) introduced Mr Høiby to the still arriving students. Bells pealed, and pealed, and pealed. The Dane suggested that some of the participating students take to the stage to play a couple of numbers to enable him to gauge their abilities. Dan leapt into action…get the A-Team on stage! Dan, Tristan, bassist Dylan Purches (would Høiby be protective or hypercritical of a fellow member of the bass players’ union?) and pianist Sander Priston were among the first to give it their best shot.

Bells pealed, and pealed, and pealed. The Music Department is but a stone’s throw (oops!, sorry Bishop, we’ll phone for a glazier) from the pealing bells. A blues (Now’s the Time comes in useful on such occasions!), then Have You Met Miss Jones? Short solos all round. What would the Dane make of their efforts? Good! Fine! said Høiby. The bells pealed, and pealed, and pealed. Your BSH correspondent wondered if Quasimodo would put in an appearance.

Høiby thought it a good idea to take a look at one or two of his compositions. As dots were passed around, the Dane took centre stage behind the front line, calling out chord and key changes, giving encouragement where needed, stopping at times to expand upon his writing methods and thought processes. Høiby quipped: You said the bells would stop! Dan: They will! Bells pealed, and pealed, and pealed.

Two hours later, with a number of changes in the student line-up along the way including Zach Fox on alto saxophone, and Honor Hornsby, trumpet, it was time to go. An approachable Jasper Høiby had conducted an enjoyable, informative masterclass, and, with the bells pealing, it can be said the day was an unqualified success. Esmeralda, where are you?                        

Russell