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| © Richard Morris |
Neil Yates (trumpet, tenor sax); Antony Stevens (trumpet); Andrzej Baranek (piano); Grant Russell (double bass); Johnny Hunter (drums)
The concept for this concert, as explained by Neil Yates, was to have a band with two trumpets. There are a few albums that have explored this concept including Two Trumpets recorded by Art Farmer and Donald Byrd in 1956.
Neil is renowned for his jazz trumpet playing. Antony Stevens is better known for playing the sousaphone on which I last saw him play at this venue. However, he gave a very good account of himself on the trumpet remarking that,at age 18, he was a student of Neil Yates and now at age 42 he was playing Step Lightly - a number Neil had taught him 24 years ago! Antony is a member of the roving brass band The Stray Horns who specialise in bringing their music to all sorts of events such as weddings, parties etc all around the country with other prominent members such as Jamie Brownfield and Mike Smith.
The band also
comprised three heavyweights of the north west jazz scene in the form of Andrzej
on piano, Grant on double bass and Johnny on drums all of whom I seem to see
play live every two to three weeks or so.
The concert
kicked off with a Charlie Parker composition the title of which I missed. Next
up was Joe Henderson’s Step Lightly, a lovely number on which both
trumpets were prominent with a fine solo by Antony. The band provided a
wonderfully upbeat funky version of Recado Bossa Nova. The rhythm
section provided a pacey beat to this tune with Andrzej sparkling on piano. The
pace slowed a little with All the Things You Are on which Neil featured himself on trumpet. Neil also played
tenor sax on a couple of tunes. What a talent! He also curates the Monday jazz here
always playing himself.
The concert was
interspersed with stories by Neil and Antony – a sort of teacher and student
duo. Neil had had a calamitous day having been attacked by a seagull whilst eating
a sandwich causing damage to his upper lip and also attacked by a dog, though
not the house dog at this pub who loves the jazz and all the customers and
musicians.
After a break, primarily for pizza, the second set opened with a fun tune Tiny Capers composed
by Clifford Brown. The funk returned with Michel Legrand’s What Are You Doing
the Rest of Your Life? Johnny and Andrzej particularly enjoying their solos.
More funk with Funky Mama played by Donald Byrd amongst others in the
past. On Cole Porter’s What
is This Thing Called Love? Andrzej excelled on piano and there
was a stunning solo by Grant on bass. The concert concluded with Clifford Brown’s
Jordu. Again fine trumpet work by teacher and student with the rhythm
section providing a marvellous climax to this finale.
A very well
attended concert thoroughly enjoyed by all present. Top class music with humour
and pathos thrown in.
Live Jazz takes
place each Monday from 8.00pm at this dog friendly and award winning
traditional rustic style pub - The Penrhyn Arms where the food is as good as
the music. It has a large tropical beer garden. Modern and traditional jazz
alternate each week. Next Monday, September 28, it will therefore be trad jazz.
Set list included:
Step Lightly; Body and Soul; Recado Bossa Nova; All the Things You Are; Tiny
Capers; What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?; Funky Mama; What is This Thing Called
Love?; Jordu
Llandudno Jazz
Club, Penrhyn Arms, Pendre Road, Penrhynside,
Llandudno LL30 3BY
Facebook: The
Penrhyn Arms
Mondays @ 8pm.£15 cash entry pp for Modern Jazz and £10 pp for Trad jazz, no booking required but recommended if dining. Tel Mark on 07792 834707 to book a table.
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