Knats' Album Launch @ The Lubber Fiend, Newcastle – Feb. 28

George Johnson (tenor sax); Ferg Kilsby (trumpet, flugel); Tom Ford (guitar); Sandro Shargorodsky (keyboards); Stan Woodward (bass); King David Ike-Elechi (drums) feat. Just-B (vocals); Dylan Orba (trombone)

Knats marked their debut album launch with an epic homecoming at a packed Lubber Fiend and it was only right that they chose Newcastle where it all started back in 2021 at Nunsmoor Park, the Globe and Hoochie Coochie.  The Lubber Fiend is somewhat smaller and - how shall I put it? - rough and ready, compared to their most recent gigs at Sage Two and Mandela Hall (Belfast) but the sound was excellent and it all added to the atmosphere of a rather special night.

© David Hall

The settled Knats line-up of locals Stan, King and Ferg now boasts London colleagues Sandro on keys and 2024 BBC Young Jazz Musician finalist George on tenor (does a Georgian count as an honorary Geordie?). The album featured a number of guests including the remarkable guitarist and producer Tom Ford who was tempted up north for a weekend in the Toon to play alongside the regular quintet here.  

© David Hall

With the luxury of a generous time slot and new material in addition to the album tracks, the band stretched out across a long set with variation in material and styles, plus a few surprises, which kept the attention of even the non-jazz fans in the enthusiastic crowd. And yes, although the trademark “muscular” Geordie jazz is still up front, big dollops of “restraint” were served in answer to BSH comments of old!

The album tracks were given a well-polished and tight airing with solos shared across not just the duelling horn front line, but with breathtaking Holdsworth-esque interjections from Tom Ford, sinuous synth prog-magic from Sandro, and of course the compulsory liquid bass and titanic drum breaks. As professional as the Knats show has become, it’s great to see the fresh pleasure and respect they enjoy in each other’s playing and company.

© David Hall

Variety, light and shade arrived in multiple forms, some unexpected!   Several new songs written by Stan were aired, with intriguing and ambitious new directions in arrangement and style reflecting influences from prog rock and Bartok and even a new song titled Messiaen.  Local rapper Just-B pulled off a brilliantly punchy rant that fitted seamlessly into the Knats groove, followed by a rumbustious trombone solo from Dylan Orba who leapt on the stage fresh from door duties! 

© David Hall

The surprise of the night however was a sung rendition of Farewell Johnny Miner by Stan, Ferg and King, reflecting Stan’s ongoing heritage journey which is evidently moving rapidly from football (new song Wor Jackie) to industrial heritage! I don’t think Bob Fox or the Unthanks need worry yet, but I suspect the crowd’s cheering will encourage further folk forays. What next? – When the Boat Comes In?

© David Hall

The most special and intense moment of the night was also the quietest. The delicate pattering of a traditional family Nigerian rhythm eventually emerged as hush spread through the crowd and swelled into the song Adaeze.  You could hear a pin drop as the sweetest gospel-tinged sax line blossomed into a heart-rending elegy for King’s late sister.  Heaven knows how the band held themselves together for this performance, but by my reckoning this quietest of songs had the loudest applause of the night.  

Quite a night all round. The band will tour the album 22-25 April.  

Album “Knats” available as vinyl LP (standard as well as Dinked Edition transparent yellow limited edition) and CD at Gearbox Records (https://store.gearboxrecords.com/collections/vinyl/products/knats-knats-lp). Available on streaming platforms at end of March. Chris K