The Early Birds @ The Lit & Phil - June 16

James Metcalf (trumpet); Alex Thompson (tenor saxophone); Ben Lawrence (piano); Alex Shipsey (bass); Dylan Thompson (drums) + Paul Edis (MD, alto saxophone)

(Review by Russell). 

Saturday morning, eleven o’clock, the Lit and Phil, it’s the Early Bird Band. The guys had been on the premises from nine in the morning working on one or two charts and at the appointed time the doors opened to the public. And there is a public for this workshopping band, such is the interest generated by the new wave of musicians making a name for themselves. MD Paul Edis said there would be three and a half, perhaps four numbers in the set.

Trumpeter James Metcalf led off on Witchcraft. Right behind him in the feature stakes were pianist Ben Lawrence (soon to head off to university) and the cracking young bass player Alex Shipsey. A Gerry Mulligan staple – Line for Lyons – featured robust tenor playing by Alex Thompson (another of the Early Birds about to fly the nest) with MD Edis on alto. Dr Edis took a seat in the stalls as the band played its arrangement of Robert Glasper’s arrangement of Sam Rivers’ Beatrice. Well, how good was this?! The trio – the rapidly developing pianist Ben Lawrence, bassist Shipsey and Dylan Thompson, drums – stretched out before Thompson A (tenor) stepped up, followed by Metcalf. So, how good was it? As Dr Edis rejoined the ensemble for the closing number he said: I don’t think I’m required anymore!

The Early Birds waltzed out of the Lit and Phil playing Freddie Hubbard’s Up Jumped Spring. Their next session at the Lit and Phil is on Saturday, July 14, eleven o’clock, two quid on the door. This is an opportunity to support the grassroots scene, make the effort and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by just how good these young musicians are.

Russell.