Music / Jazz
The week in Jazz November 21-27
After wowing the St George’s audience in Phronesis the other week it’s great to see pianist Ivo Neame return to Bristol with his own quintet (Future Inn, Thursday 24). It’s pretty much an all-star cast, too, with Tori Freestone on sax/flute, Huw V Williams playing bass and Dave Hamblett drumming, plus the sizzling Jim Hart on vibes. As you’d guess from his playing style Ivo’s compositions and arrangements are interesting and complex but unafraid to be downright jazzy nonetheless. and the opportunities for classy interactive playing in the group are limitless.
The same prospect applies to another fivesome, namely the bass-player led Dominic Howles Quintet (Hen & Chicken, Sunday 27). Dominic is an ambitious composer and leader of a variety of bands, this one featuring the classy brass frontline of Dave O’Higgins and Steve Waterman, with Nick Tomalin on piano and Matt Fishwick drumming.
Another visiting virtuoso rocks The Thekla (Tuesday 22) when US guitarist Charlie Hunter comes to town on the back of the delightfully titled Everybody Has A Plan Before They Get Punched In The Mouth album. . Famed for his ability to play bass lines, chords and melody all at the same time using a distinctive 7-string instrument he’s over for a short tour, bringing acclaimed drummer Bobby Previte and a mixed UK/US brass section.
The Bristol Fringe crowd will no doubt be there in numbers for Andy Sheppard’s Pushy Doctors (Wednesday 23) and deservedly so as the trio’s skilful blend of whimsy and great musical insight is a prize every time. By contrast the straight ahead boogaloo and blues powerhouse duo Osmoid will be shaking things up at Canteen on the same night. This week’s piano trio showcase comes to the Bebop Club (Friday 25) in the shape of Andy Nowak’s A.N.t.. Despite being together for some considerable time the band have only just released their debut CD Sorrow & The Phoenix, but the quality of invention and improvisation on the album from Andy, bass player Spencer Brown and drummer Andy Tween more than makes up for the delay.
Finally, a question: is Laura Mvula a jazz artist? She’s certainly a highly soulful singer with a great vocal technique and she’s become a regular attraction on jazz festival stages over the last five years or so. However you categorise her, however, she’s a dazzling entertainer and a great singer and she’s appearing at the O2 Academy on Saturday 26.
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