Music / alan barnes
The week in Jazz December 11-17
If ever someone belonged on a record label called Whirlwind it’s Russian sax phenomenon Zhenya Strigalev (Bebop Club, Friday 15). A jazz composer of radical wit and a player of devastating technical ability, his live performances have the reputation for grin-inducing brilliance and eyebrow raising surprises. Last year’s album The Never Group had a seismic impact on most jazz critics thanks to its intriguing mishmash of jazz and electronica styles. It’s that material he brings to Bristol in a trio format, with uber-bassist Michael Janisch and Spanish drummer Marc Ayza, and it could well be an early Christmas present for jazz fans.
Alan Barnes sees a ghost
More blatantly seasonal fare comes to the Hen and Chicken (Sunday 17) in the shape of A Christmas Carol, saxophonist Alan Barnes’ ‘slightly corny and tongue in cheek’ treatment of the Dickens story with an octet band that features pianist Dave Newton and Clark Tracey on drums. For all the implied cheesiness it’s a top quality outfit that can only deliver great stuff and Alan’s dour wit makes him the perfect ironic foil.
Boogaloo soul singer Phil King
It’s a week for the singers, it seems, with a couple of vocal treats on offer at The Gallimaufry this week, including the teaming of velvet-voiced Phil King with hard driving boogaloo jazz duo Osmoid (Tuesday 12) and Afro-soul diva Celestine appearing with The Next Movement (Thursday 14). Phil’s theatrical work keeps him away from Bristol through the summer months so it’s good to see him again, while Celestine’s new project links jazz and hip-hop through words and music.
is needed now More than ever
Duval Project – out of the studio, at last!
Similarly, the Duval Project (The Forge, Wednesday 13) brings a fine contemporary jazz sensibility to modern R’n’B and – finally! – they are releasing an album to prove it. Marie Lister’s simmering vocal control sits well with Gary Alesbrook’s soulful Chet Baker-inspired trumpet playing and the tightly-knit sound is a model of intelligent restraint.
Urban jazz singer Ruby Confue
London’s Ruby Confue (Canteen, Wednesday 13) has more overtly jazz-derived influences in her cleverly constructed vocal music and she’s not afraid to throw in hip-hop Shakespeare alongside cool jazz and grandstanding soul styles.
Jazz Defenders taking things seriously
But if it’s classic instrumental jazz you’re after then The Jazz Defenders (Fringe, Wednesday 13) will certainly deliver the goods. Aiming to celebrate the classic hard-bopping Blue Note sound of the 60s pianist George Cooper pulled together a veritable supergroup of Bristol players who, in turn, collaborated with him to write original compositions ‘in the style of’. The resulting set is a fine, fresh evocation of one of the highpoints in jazz development. Though trumpeter Nick Malcolm can’t make this gig most people would agree that the mercurial Jonny Bruce will be a more than able replacement.
Hockett baritone sax player Helen Papaioannou
The Fringe is also hosting their monthly Free Jazz session (Monday 11) – a little early in recognition of the season – with the house quartet letting rip in the usual way. The Greenbank has the Blazing Flame quintet (Tuesday 12) providing improvised accompaniment to poet Steve Day‘s remarkable songs and then there’s an intriguing mix of free styles at the same venue on Thursday (14) with ‘skronky/wonky’ violin/flute/baritone sax trio Hokkett paired with a performance of Roger Skerman’s Staccato and Sustain by quartet Strange Strings.
Eyebrow in action
And finally there’s a couple of chances to catch excellent drummer Paul Wigens – famed member of the wonderful Blurt – in action this week when he appears with the Dave Perry Trio (El Rincon, Thursday 14) and the ultra-stylish contemporary jazz drum’n’trumpet duo Eyebrow (Tobacco Factory, Sunday 17). Paul’s effortless fluidity and meticulous invention are always well worth catching.
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