(Photo courtesy of Ken Drew)
Manteca for starters. Band leader Giacomo Smith didn't require much in the way of a warm up, straight in with some searing Bird-like alto saxophone, trumpeter Dylan Jones likewise, Dizzy-esque, the horns supported by BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year Deschanel Gordon. Pianist Gordon too went for it, confident, not in the least intimidated. Ferg Ireland introduced himself to a vast online audience, as did Berklee graduate drummer Jas Kayser. All round excellence!
Gordon, Jones, unison horns, Cannonball's Cannonball. More excellence. Smith announced there would much more of Dizzy, at Jones' suggestion - good! Tin Tin Deo's opening statement, the horns, first Jones followed by Smith, the rhythm section cookin', the award-winning Deschanel knocking out a great solo, it couldn't get much better, could it?
A step back in time, Bechet's Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives to Me given a bop-ish treatment with more from Deschanel - a great talent. Talking of talent...Smith's alto exchanged fours with the immensely talented Jas Kayser,yet more excellence! Ballad time, title not announced, laid back alto, similarly laid back trumpet, Deschanel supplying the chordal accompaniment.
From ballad to Dizzy's Calypsonian And Then She Stopped, Deschanel's percussive piano playing. And so, to the finale...on your marks...get set...Dizzy's Dizzy Atmosphere. And off they went into the stratosphere. Tremendous! More, much more from Kansas Smitty's in December.
Russell
1 comment :
Bird and Diz - alias Smith and Jones - Live! A cracking session. "Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives to me" was a surprise and I wondered if the Vieux Carré Jazzmen had sneaked in the back door. Then I remembered their version of the title is a Spoonerism - Blues My Sweetie's Dirty Nightie Gives to me (or something similar!)
And yes, Deschanel was a deserved winner at the Young Jazz Musician final!
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