Joseph Carville Trio @ Bar Loco, Newcastle - April 18

Joseph Carville (piano); Allan Peat (bass); Mark Rayner (drums) +  David "Showtime" Gray (trombone).

(Review by Nathan Allonby).

This excellent young pianist is little known in the local jazz scene, having played relatively few public gigs, but hopefully will start to receive the attention he deserves. The gig was scarcely publicised, held at a venue that hosts few (but often very good) jazz performances.

The audience consisted mostly of a solid core of followers of the band.

How do we judge jazz performers?

By the originality of what they play, by doing something different; by technical brilliance; by sensitive harmonies, by emotion; by surprising us.

Joseph Carville plays well within mainstream norms of jazz and is competent without being showy, yet within a few bars I found myself paying attention to him and caring about what he played.

This was a very solid trio that played well together (and it was surprising to hear that they had not been together for very long).

David Gray responded well to accompanying this trio, holding himself back, willing to be a supportive partner in the ensemble. The more mellow tone suited him well. David used his coffee cup as a mute to obtain a sympathetic tone and volume. He was listening well and added
a very complimentary dimension.

This was a small group, playing together, listening well to each other, producing warm, intimate music. A lovely moment.

Nathan. 
(Editor's note: The Joseph Carville Trio can be heard at The Globe Jazz Bar on May 30)