Bristol’s week in jazz, November 11-17 2019

One of the city’s finest and most famous jazz projects celebrate a big anniversary with a party this week, while a newer trio launch their debut single and free jazz gets taken to the cleaners.

It seems implausible, given the freshness of their music and the continuing jazz rock energy of the band, but it’s been 21 years since four Bristol buddies came together over a shared love of Ornate Coleman and cake. The result was The Blessing – later renamed Get The Blessing in deference to a soon-to-be defunct reggae covers band.

An instant hit on the Bristol scene, where gigs were famed for the sharing of cakes with the audience, the powerhouse 2008 debut CD All Is Yes (released on their own Cake label) was quick to register farther and wider, winning the BBC’s Best Album at that year’s Jazz Awards. The rest, as they say, is history, with more albums, world tours, film scores … all to great acclaim in high places.

Naturally the coming of age will be celebrated in fine style when Get The Blessing (plus some genuinely special guests) hit the Exchange (Saturday 16), a fine venue choice that recognises promoter Fat Paul Horlick for his support from those early, crumb-infested days at The Croft.

And you can also catch GTB trumpeter Pete Judge playing alongside sax player Sophie Stockham in contemporary jazz outfit Orphic at The Bell (Monday 11) and El Rincon (Thursday 14).

Pianist Jim Blomfield is a Bristol-based player and composer whose music has developed and reshaped over that time through a wide range of jazz and Latin music projects. It has been his Jim Blomfield Trio (The Forge, Friday 15) that most reveals this musical evolution. Their two albums Waveforms and Sea Changes and Strange Beauty (Every Way OK) are both rich collections of strong melodic writing and brilliant group playing with a growing presence of electronica and prog-rock adding spice to the mix.

By contrast, highly promising newcomer Alex Veitch releases his piano trio’s debut single as AVTRIO (Gallimaufry, Tuesday 12). A graduate of both the Royal Academy and Guildhall jazz programmes, Alex has been establishing himself in Bristol with a residency at the Greenback pub and other appearances while continuing his presence on the London scene.

The Gallimaufry also hosts Animal Society (Wednesday 13), a great new jazz-rock instrumental quartet from the ever thriving Scottish scene. Founded by guitarist Joe Williamson the band has a strong electric sound with grinding rock riffs and floating lyrical solo somehow coming together in perfect logic.

A new Bristol band that may have a similar musical recipe, Slate Trio (El Rincon, Friday 15) features enigmatic guitar genius Neil Smith, drumming powerhouse Matt Brown and versatile bass player Pete Gibbs. This will be their first gig so all will be revealed on the night…

Jazz at Future Inn, meanwhile, welcomes well-established Italian quartet Dugong (Thursday 14). Hailing from Milan, via London, the band’s tight contemporary jazz also has a pulsing rock energy driving much of their original material.

As ever there’s a strong thread of world music influences across the week, with the pan-African grooves of Afriquoi (Old Market Assembly, Saturday 16) rich in Congolese guitars and Gambian kora. Ever-popular desert blues legends Tinawiren return to Trinity (Tuesday 12) with their hypnotic Tuareg rhythms and distinctive tunics, while Soma Soma (Canteen, Friday 15) blend horn-rich Hi-life with Latin influences.

Most jazzy, however, will be Sisanda (Fringe Jazz, Wednesday 13), a celebration of South African jazz and hip-hop with Mankala vocalist Sisanda Myataza and a great quartet. Old and new music, poetry and personal reflections all combine in her show which sold out the last time it was at the Fringe – so early booking recommended.

Seasoned cabaret singer Barb Jungr (St George’s, Thursday 14) can be relied on for similar showmanship when she brings a new collection of arrangements of songs by Jacques Brel and Bob Dylan. These two lyricists have featured strongly in her performances over many years now and she is intentionally recognised for her interpretations of their music.

Having himself produced an album of classic movie jazz songs reinterpreted, trumpeter Gary Alesbrook (Bebop Club, Friday 15) was emboldened to write a set of his own songs and tunes, echoing the heritage of the classics. The resulting album – Stories We Tell Ourselves – was launched this month in London and Bristol and also features guitar from Matt Hopkins who will be appearing alongside vocalist Elliott Cole and others. Gary also pops up as featured guest at the Leftbank Jam Session (Tuesday 12).

Lovers of both dance music and left field compositional ideas will no doubt be flocking to a night of  Graham Dunning Mechanical Techno at The Cube (Saturday 16). Graham uses multiple self designed record players, triggered synths, mechanical percussion and much more to create a spontaneous live dub experience. Improvised electronica from ADI and a solo improvisation from Thought Forms drummer Guy Metcalfe are in support.

And finally, free jazz gets its socks washed this week when sax’n’guitar duo Webster/Serries join improvising quartet Pigeon and spiritual solo baritone sax player Tim Hill in the lively laundrette setting of At The Well (Friday 15).