DJazz reflections...

(...by Steve H)

Just a brief note on the bands from the Djazz festival that I saw but haven’t had a previous mention on BSH.

On Friday night, the Empty Shop hosted 2 bands from out of town.

First up was Manchester’s Early Nite. I had enjoyed seeing them about a year ago at The Bridge and once again they produced a very enjoyable set. The band play short sharp improvised pieces with a high degree of energy. They also like to add a touch of humour to their performances which is fine in small doses but, on this occasion, they possibly overdid the jokes to the detriment of an otherwise very fine performance.

Belfast outfit Robocobra Quartet concluded the proceedings for day one of the festival.  

Billed as ‘mining influence from jazz, hardcore and contemporary classical music’ they seemed as close to jazz as Kylie is to grand opera.  However, ‘Howling’ drummer Chris Ryan gives a sterling performance. I have nothing against heavy metal covers   I’ve heard some great jazz versions of Nirvana songs by more than one jazz performer but this band’s cover of a  Guns and Roses song did nothing for me and kind of summed up the whole performance for lively, energetic, raucous but just not jazz.

On Saturday evening I went to the charming Barber of Neville improvised venue to see JFrisco . Billed as a trio they were, in fact, a duo on the night as keyboard player Jemma Freese was performing in Holland. Nevertheless, Megan Roe on guitar/vocals and Lara Jones on sax/electronics seemed to cover for the missing third seamlessly. Incorporating all sorts of additional special effects - mobile phones, bubble wrap, Tibetan sound bowls etc. they produced a mesmerising soundscape which captivated the audience. It may not be jazz as some know it but as a piece of improvised music it was second to none.

Sunday afternoon saw me back at the Empty Shop for Shatner’s Bassoon. I had seen this band a couple of weeks back at the Jazz Cafe where they had the floor shaking so knew I what to expect and I certainly wasn’t disappointed as their unique brand of heavy metal punk jazz got the day off to an exhilarating start.  There could be no better way to finish the festival than a visit to the Jam Jah to see my current favourite band Skeltr. They didn’t disappoint and their wonderful swirly electronic musical magic carpet ride musical was actually enhanced by it being in a standing venue.

 So a wonderful end to a fantastic festival I really enjoyed being able to dip in and out of the tremendous variety of gigs that were on offer as opposed to having to decide well in advance of the event what you wanted to see and all for a tenner- amazing.

Steve H.