Music / Jazz
Jazz picks of the month: July 2015
July traditionally brings a thinning out of Bristol’s jazz calendar but, while it’s maybe less action-packed than June, things still kick off very impressively. It starts with pyrotechnic guitarist Matt Hopkins’ Quartet at Fringe @ The Mall (Wednesday 1), swiftly followed by Italian saxophone star Gianni Denitto at Future Inn (Thursday 2). Denitto is well known for his use of electronics and loops to make ambient soundscapes.
There’s nothing ambient about Soil & Pimp Sessions, fresh outta Glastonbury Festival and brimming with Japanese energy in the Lantern (Saturday 4): expect anarchy with a surprising amount of discipline underneath. Expect discipline bursting with anarchic imagination, by contrast, when great composer Mike Westbrook (main picture) brings his 22-strong Uncommon Orchestra and their A Bigger Show to the Hen & Chicken (Sunday 5) for what should be an unforgettable experience.
Size isn’t everything, however, and the small (but perfectly formed) duo Eyebrow at the Canteen (Sunday 12) will conjure a complete cinematic experience from just Pete Judge’s processed trumpet and the infinitely resourceful drumming of Paul Wigens. Paul also pops up in the only slightly larger Dave Perry Trio at the same venue (Wednesday 29). Dave’s excellent modern jazz compositions and sinuous even-toned saxophone are definitely one of Bristol’s under-heralded jazz treasures.
A more heralded treasure (and rightly so) is Andy Sheppard who brings one of those ‘and friends’ gatherings to The Fringe @ The Mall (Wednesday 15). You never need to know who those friends are to be sure it will be a seriously classy evening, as you can be when Smerins Anti-Social Club make a rare Bristol appearance at Thekla (Friday 17) with their irresistible jazz-imbued funk. Ditto, inevitably, for the Milli Meters, a newly formed clutch of Bristol jazz stars pledged to recreate the New Orleans swamp-funk of The Meters (Canteen Wednesday 22). Their unassuming diffidence makes an interesting contrast to ex-Magazine guitarist Dave Formula, who boldly asserts that his Finks (coming to Thunderbolt, Friday 31) are (quote) “Europe’s finest groove-organ quartet“.
But then again there’s always the attractions of Dorset’s Isle of Purbeck – only a couple of hour’s drive away – and the reliably eclectic Swanage Jazz Festival (Friday 10-Sunday 12). This year’s programme includes the mercurial Gilad Atzmon, funky Dennis Rollins, Tom Cawley’s radical trio (Curios), Phil Robson’s organ trio and much more. Plus as much seafood as you could ever wish for and the seaside to boot!
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