Album review: Joshua Cavanagh-Brierley - Joy in Bewilderment

Having spent many years around the Manchester Jazz Scene attending events large and small, I have noticed a new type of musician emerging in recent times. Way back in the 1960-1980’s jazz was seldom heard in local music schools and if any of the students played in a jazz group they had to keep quiet about it.

Now it’s all changed and instead of playing in pubs to the tables and chairs many young musicians today prefer to write their own music and produce their own albums.

A typical example is bass player and composer Cavanagh-Brierley’s third album, Joy in Bewilderment, where he utilises a 13 piece ensemble that includes three drummers and, in the line-up, there are two names I am familiar with, Kyran Matthews (tenor sax) and Sam Healey (alto sax). 

Kyran is well known for his involvement in the Manchester modern jazz scene and Sam Healey I recall from his work with the Beats and Pieces Big Band.

Both do a great job solo-wise. Also along for the ride is the American tenor sax titan Chris Potter who has a guest spot on I’ll do as I Please.  The tune Brew is a feature for guitarist Daniel Brew who has a Pat Metheny sound which suits the composition.  Ophelia’s Arrival contains a superb alto solo from Sam Healey that builds to a fiery climax.   

There is another guest in the form of singer Caoilfhionn Rose who is heard on Forbidden Words which also includes a tenor solo by Kyran Matthews - a player who’s always on the money.  

The track Attachment is one that has bassist Cavanagh-Brierley playing a reflective solo on the studio mini-grand - a nice contrast to the rest of the album.       

I like the strangely-titled You Can’t Whistle a Haircut which has a great arrangement featuring the trombone section before leading to a tenor solo and ending in a noisy climax.

This is probably not an  album that a listener, looking for straight ahead swinging jazz would go for, but there is such a creative vibe present that it reminds me of some of the larger Mingus ensembles such as Black Saint and the Sinner Lady. I played the album several times before I formed an opinion and my advice is, if you want something out of the ordinary then check it out. Mike Farmer.

Available July 16 on Ubuntu-UBU0084 - Details.

Gavin Hibberd   (trumpet); Sam Healey (alto sax); Kyran Matthews, Chris Potter  (tenor sax); Anthony Brown (baritone sax); Ellie Whitley, Rich McVeigh, (trombones); Caoilfhionn Rose (vocals); Daniel Brew (guitar); Daniel Wellins (piano/ keys); Joshua Cavanagh-Brierley (electric bass/double bass/piano); Alan Taylor,    Grant Kershaw, Craig Hanson  (drums) + The Amika Quartet: Simmy Singh, Laura Senuor  (violins);  Lucy Nolan (viola); Peggy Nolan  (cello).