Malaby, Bonnet & Darrifourcq @ The Bridge Hotel – May 13

Tony Malaby (saxophones); Richard Bonnet (guitar); Sylvain Darrifourcq (drums)

(Review by Steve H/Photos courtesy of Ken Drew) 

With a lot of improvised music, it can sometimes take a while to settle into the groove yet once locked in then the audience can be taken on a unique journey which in my opinion no other genre can surpass.

Sunday night at The Bridge was a case in point. As the trio started their set the sun was streaming in through the upstairs bay window. At first, I was not only blinded by the light but also by the improvisation taking place on the stage. However, once the sun had begun to set, I was able to tune in and thoroughly enjoy the rest of the splendid evening.

The initial piece took up almost the entirety of the first set. The music ebbed and flowed, at first quite minimalist and modern classical in approach but building to a full-on kickass ending shattering the tranquillity of what had gone before. The set concluded with a short piece leaving the audience in eager anticipation for the second set and, of course, Jazz North East’s legendary halftime raffle.

If the first set was more on the chamber music side of improvised jazz then the second kicked off in what could best be described as heavy metal style. The opening number certainly removed any cobwebs that may have settled during the interval a full-on dramatic enthralling piece of ensemble playing. The next piece was somewhat more reflective and the final piece provided a showcase for the creativity for Darrifourcq on percussion. Starting off with what appeared to be a ringing alarm clock the drummer then employed the cymbals as sticks providing both stunning visual and musical effects.

Another great evening of improvised jazz by an outstanding trio. Malaby is an immense player switching effortlessly between tenor and soprano like an ambidextrous gunslinger. Guitarist Bonnet was equally impressive always interesting and technically superb and I believe this was his first visit to the North East. On the other hand, Darrifourcq must now be an honorary Geordie so frequent are the great drummer’s ever so welcome visits to Tyneside.

Another great Sunday night of improvised jazz at The Bridge which left the packed room basking in the joy of being part such a great creative experience.

Steve H.