Jason Holcomb (trombone, shakers; Alix Shepherd (piano); David Olatunji (percussion)
Teeming rain didn't deter King's Hall regulars, all seats were occupied in time for a quarter past one start. Jason Holcomb (Head of Brass at Newcastle University) assumed the role of nominal frontman, flanked to his right by pianist Alix Shepherd and to his left, percussionist David Olatunji. Afro-Cuban, Latin, salsa, samba and much else, the long-established Castillo Nuevo Trio set about entertaining the bedraggled.
The first two rows of seats were occupied by children from a nearby school - would they be tempted to get up and dance? Opening with Mas Que Nada, it was clear from the down beat that this wasn't going to be a po-faced, sit-on-your-hands concert. Holcomb made reference to Bueno Vista Social Club (some in the audience had heard of the late twentieth century phenomenon) and when asking the school kids if they knew where Bossa Nova originated, some of the answers were of the priceless variety: South...Dakota. Close enough for jazz!
Compay Segundo's Chan Chan, recorded by and featured in Buena Vista Social Club's set, set feet tapping. Would anyone take up Holcomb's invitation to dance? Summertime given a bossa-salsa-Afro-Cuban treatment almost got them out of their seats, Thriller as an 'everything-Latin' mash up (featuring solos from Holcomb and Shepherd) worked a treat and, as the two o'clock finish approached, Holcomb sought permission from the 'powers-that-be' to play another one. Oye Como Va and a brief encore did the trick, the kids were up doing their thing.
Next week (Thursday 2 November) pianist Robert Mitchell will be performing original compositions, left-hand-only compositions, improvisations and, perhaps, reciting some poetry. Russell
Set list: Mas Que Nada; Chan Chan; Summertime; Capullito de Alheli; Mandinga; Thriller; Oye Como Va.
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