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| © Sheila Herrick |
What I love about music and jazz in particular is the variety of sub-genres and the ever evolving new directions that it takes as it explores previously undiscovered shores.
During the course of the music's evolution, styles and genres were usually pigeon-holed geographically thus, in America, we had New Orleans, Chicago and Kansas City and then west coast (L.A.) and east coast (NYC) all, generally, easilly identified by a knowledgeable enthusiast.
Apart from the rock/pop explosion that occurred in Liverpool in the 1960s no such regional variation has taken place in the UK - that is until now!
Over the past few years, along with the emergence of the SNP, many young jazz musicians in Scotland have developed their own identity. Staying broadly (or should that be loosely?) within the contemporary jazz tradition but also adding a Scottish folksy element into the mix.
The Ali Watson Quartet have absorbed this jazz nationalism well by creating their own identifiable sound which is what most bands aspire to but not all achieve.
Of course, as with any innovator, universal acceptance is rarely instantaneous and I did struggle to come to terms with the music. The fault is entirely mine and I apologise for not staying the course - I was in the minority. Maybe next time ... Lance
First set (all originals by Watson): Glen; Undergo; Late October; January; Evening
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