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| © John Lyons |
The room was crowded, there was a feeling of youthful pizzazz in the air. An air of eager anticipation from the younger element and curiosity from those of a more mature persuasion. Come the end of the evening both factions were happy with what they'd heard.
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| © John Lyons |
Leading from the front he led his troops through a mix of well crafted originals and a few contemporary standards that were after my time but which I loved anyway. Several numbers had unaccompanied tenor passages in which his rich tone shone through whilst others displayed his formidable technique only rarely travelling too far in to the harmonic extremes of the instrument. The same agility was applied equally effectively to soprano. Olly Styles is the real deal.
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| © John Lyons |
Special guests were promised and Jacob Egglestone met the criteria, his solos matching that of the leader - particularly when they were trading brief but succinct phrases. Special indeed.
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| © John Lyons |
I'm not sure if Jenny Baker qualified as a guest, special or otherwise as the guitarist/singer/songwriter had been given separate billing and earlier had played a 30 minutes solo support slot - her pleasing voice drawing many whoops and hollers from the student fraternity present. Jenny sat in with the band to sing a piece composed jointly with Olly - nice one.
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| © John Lyons |
The evening closed with a blistering St. Thomas and the thundering applause was well deserved. I look forward to catching them again. Jazz is in safe hands ... musicwise. Lance
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