Ishy Aasgaard
(trombone) Neil Yates (trumpet, tenor sax); Misha Gray (piano); Josh
Cavanagh-Brierley (double bass); Johnny Hunter (drums)
© Richard Morris
It is not often a trombone player leads a five piece ensemble but this concert provided one of the rising stars of jazz trombone, Ishy Aasgaard, the opportunity of leading this very classy group of musicians. Although still studying under Giacomo Smith and others at the Royal Academy of Music his trombone virtuosity tonight was exceptional. He also selected a wonderful set list which enabled all to display their skills.
I have
travelled many miles to see these five musicians at various venues mainly in
the north of England and Wales although they do play further afield. Ishy is
based in Liverpool (where he grew up) and London and despite still being a
student, he gigs regularly and I am due to see him play again later this week.
The concert
started with great versions of Hank Mobley's This I Dig of You and
Recado Bossa Nova the latter featuring a stunning piano solo by Misha
Gray. Throughout the concert Neil alternated between trumpet and sax playing
trumpet on the first tune and tenor sax on the second. These upbeat tunes were
followed by a ballad, the jazz standard Body and Soul with a solo by
Ishy at the beginning. Next up Joy Spring a tune by Clifford
Brown. To conclude the first set a Charlie Parker number Now’s the Time with
another wicked piano solo by Misha. All musicians had solos which showed off their
skills. The rhythm section of Misha, Joshua and Johnny is one of the best in
the UK and always in high demand. All are composers and educators too.
The first tune
of the second set was Ornithology by Charlie Parker based on the song How
High the Moon. This was followed by a beautiful old tune by tenor sax
player Frank Foster - Shiny Stockings. Next up a fast tempo tune by Ellis
Marsalis Swinging at the Haven in which I particularly enjoyed solos by
Ishy and Neil on trumpet. The concert concluded with the Lee Morgan bossa nova
tune Ceora and a stupendously entertaining and upbeat version of Funky
Mama
Hats off to Neil Yates who curates the jazz so splendidly at this venue each Monday with a wide variety of musicians from the UK and sometimes further afield
Live jazz takes
place each Monday from 8pm at the dog friendly and award winning Penrhyn Arms where the food is as good as the modern and traditional jazz that alternates each week. Next
Monday August 3 there is traditional jazz. Richard Morris
Set list: This
I Dig of You; Recado Bossa Nova; Body and Soul; Joy Spring; Now’s the Time;
Ornithology; Shiny Stockings; Swinging at the Haven; Ceora; Funky Mama
Llandudno Jazz
Club, Penrhyn Arms, Pendre Road, Penrhynside,
Llandudno LL30 3BY
Mondays @ 8pm.£15 cash entry pp, no booking required but recommended if dining.
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