In April 2017 pianist Alan Broadbent visited Tyneside to appear at the Gateshead International Jazz Festival in a duo performance with singer Georgia Mancio. This live stream appearance from Small's provided another chance to hear the New Zealander, this time with his trio. In a one hour set of six numbers, Broadbent's performance in the company of Harvie S and Billy Mintz reaffirmed the view that he is a supreme interpreter of classic material. This Greenwich Village gig could be described as 'the art of', the art of classy piano playing, the art of impeccable bass paying (Harvie S) and the art of minimalism as demonstrated by Mintz.
Charlie Haden's Hello My Lovely opened the set, the trio totally at ease, Mintz, with brushes in hand, barely moving. For three or four numbers it was music all the way, Broadbent would make the introductions in due course. What is This Thing Called Love?, a disguised, to your reviewer's ear, Struttin' with Some Barbecue into an instantly recognisable Body and Soul. Broadbent did eventually speak to his audience - the lucky few in the venue and a sizeable online following. Two contrasting numbers to end the set - Bernice Petkere's Lullaby of the Leaves from the early thirties followed by Gigi Gryce's Minority which featured a cameo drum solo from Mintz. It had been an excellent set courtesy of three great players.
Russell
Set list: Hello, My Lovely; What is This Thing Called Love?; Struttin' with Some Barbecue; Body and Soul; Lullaby of the Leaves; Minority
1 comment :
Alan Broadbent also appeared in Newcastle with Woody Herman at the City Hall circa 1970.
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