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| © Richard Morris |
On my journey from North Wales the rain pelted down but fortunately, just as I arrived in Sandbach the rain stopped and the sun came out. An omen that this would be a good day and it certainly was.
The second of four scheduled concerts, I'm told I apparently missed a very good earlier concert by Wendy Kirkland and her band which started at the unholy hour (for jazz musicians) at 11.30am.
I hadn't seen Alex play for some months. She has a recent album out titled Out of the Woods which I highly recommend. The band at this concert was different to that which recorded the album so, rather than play tracks from the album, jazz standards were on the menu today and what a feast it was. All four musicians were well known to me. Dave had already warmed himself up nicely by playing in two concerts here on the Saturday of the Festival. Ed is a highly regarded bassman and Andrzej quite simply is one of the UK’s very best jazz pianists. Alex despite being only 26 seems to have been on the UK jazz scene for a decade or so. A great saxophone player, bandleader and educator. She is one of the hardest working musicians on the circuit and looking at her monthly scheduling of concerts makes me feel exhausted!
The first tune
they played was Invitation composed by Bronislaw Kaper in 1950. This
showcased Alex’s saxophone playing. Next up was a swinging version of I’ve Never Been in Love Before from the musical Guys
and Dolls. Dave, as he did throughout the concert, kept the beat going and with
Ed and Andrzej formed a formidable rhythm section allowing Alex’s saxophone to
play the melody. On The Way You Look Tonight Alex's alto
sax solo was scintillating. The tempo slowed for You Don't Know What Love is with exquisite piano work by Andrzej. The first set closed with Just One of Those Things. Cole Porter's song was
played in samba style with Dave and Andrzej taking eye catching solos.
The second set opened with Secret Love. When introducing this tune Alex said she admired the version played by US saxophonist
Vinny Golia and that this tune was played in his style as his playing was such an influence
on her. A great upbeat number. Next up Just One of Those Things another Cole Porter number given the samba treatment with, once again, Dave and Andrzej outstanding.
The Song is
You concluded the concert. This was a fast swinging number with Dave’s
drumming particularly impressive. A high quality quartet did justice to
all these tunes and it was a pleasure to be present. A very good start to a
long day of festival jazz which didn't conclude until after 10.00pm. Richard Morris
Set list included: Invitation; I’ve Never Been in Love Before; The Way You Look Tonight; You Don't Know What Love is; Secret Love; Just One of Those Things; The Song is You.
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