Emily Masser (vocals); Dean
Stockdale (keyboards); Joshua Cavanagh-Brierley (double bass); Gaz
Hughes (drums)
My first visit
to Alsager Jazz Club since they moved earlier this year to the Thirteen Club in
Alsager. I liked the new venue and shared Emily Masser’s view that it seems
like more of a jazz club than the old place which, in fairness, had served
weekly jazz very well for many years.
At just 22, Emily is an amazing vocalist and I have enjoyed seeing her mature over the past few years. She has played many times before with the Dean Stockdale Trio who are all well-established artists on the UK’s jazz scene.
In the first
set there were a few technical issues, not of Emily’s making, partly to do with
the microphone but she ploughed on showing considerable fortitude and a confidence that belied her age. Gaz arrived with two broken toes but you would
not have known from his performance whilst Dean had recently arrived back from
Venice! As you can see from the set list
below most of the songs performed were familiar to the large and appreciative audience.
Highlights for
me included the Antonio Carlos Jobim song No
More Blues (Chega de Saudade). Emily invited the audience to choose whether
she should sing in Portuguese or English. The choice was Portuguese. Emily sang
most of the song in Portuguese and completed the last section in English. What
a talent. Emily is adept with both ballads and up tempo numbers
The rhythm
section of Gaz and Joshua provided admirable support. Joshua seems to be playing
in various venues mainly in the north west of England and North Wales most days
and clearly is in high demand. Dean is a wonderful pianist and ensemble player.
This concert
was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Richard
Morris
Jazz is played here
most Thursdays. Next up on April 23 is
Cliff Ray (trumpet) with the Robin Dewhurst Trio which also includes Joshua
Cavanagh-Brierley and on April 30 it is Julie
Edwards and Kevin Dearden with the Andrzej Baranek Trio. For all forthcoming
jazz gigs visit www.alsagerjazz.org.uk
Set list: Old
Devil Moon; Almost Like Being in Love; One Note Samba; The Man I Love; East of the
Sun; Take a Little Time to Smile; A Foggy Day; The Boy Next Door; I’m Old Fashioned;
My One and Only Love; No More Blues; On the Sunny Side of the Street; Lady be Good
Alsager Jazz
Club, Thirteen Club, Cedar Avenue, Alsager ST7 2PH Jazz 8pm –10pm Every Thursday. £10 on the door. Large car
park/Fully Accessible
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