Knats @ Hoochie Coochie - Nov. 25

Ferg Kilsby (trumpet); Josh Mitchell-Rayner (keyboards); Stan Woodward (bass); King David Ike-Elechi (drums).

How can I describe this? Muscular Jazz - the capitals are intentional - was the description that came to mind. This was powerful, hit 'em hard, hit 'em often and don't spare the volume, music. There was subtlety - if you looked hard enough!

No poncey flugelhorns or drum brushes for these guys. Trumpet used effects pedals more than he used his solitary mute which lay forlornly on the floor of the stage for most of the gig.

A mix of originals interspersed with numbers by Monk, Donald Byrd, Roots and Radiohead as well as a take on My Favorite Things that placed Coltrane's version closer to that of Julie Andrews than to what was happening on stage at Hoochie.

The room was crowded, the young fans - of similar age to the band - danced, they whooped and they hollered, their pre-conceptions of a jazz gig reshaped and no one asked them to switch off their phones. Hoochie's head honcho Warren had a glow on. He loved it, the crowd loved it and I loved it!

Four young men at the cusp of their careers who will all, no doubt, move on to a music college where they will emerge with diplomas and an even greater technique - hopefully without loss of their current individuality.

Warren assures me they will be back but, in the meantime, you can catch them at the Globe on Dec.5 - Lance