Music / Jazz
The week in Jazz July 2 – 8
Well the big deal this week is all about someone who isn’t actually playing – and that’s the point. Bristol-born pianist, composer and presiding genius of improvised music Keith Tippett hasn’t been able to perform at all for most of 2018 due to a series of devastating health crises. Though happily on the mend now he’s unlikely to return to the stage any time soon, and this loss of work for Keith and his wife Julie has had serious financial consequences. To show practical support while celebrating one of Bristol’s greatest musicians local jazz promoters Ian Storrer (Hen & Chicken) and Jon Taylor (Fringe Jazz) have organised a benefit gig at the Hen & Chicken (Sunday 8).
Paul Dunmall
So many musicians are keen to show their appreciation that it’s turned into a brilliantly promising night, with Kevin Figes (pictured at top with his quartet who will all be there) organising a Bristol Keith Tippett Appreciation Society big band to play some of Keith’s compositions from the original scores. The band includes almost every great local modern jazz ‘name’, many of whom have benefited from playing with or being taught by the man himself. There will also be a fiery improv foursome performance from saxophonist Paul Dunmall and featuring the great Jim Dvorak on trumpet – both players who have worked extensively with Keith in the past. So – a very worthy occasion that should be anything but dull.
Utrechtse Student Big Band
Getting a big band onto the Hen and Chicken stage is a squeeze but levering one into Mr Wolf’s? It’ll be worth checking how they do it on Tuesday (3) when highly-reputed Dutch band USBB appear. The band (who come from Utrecht) have made their mark in Holland’s highly competitive big band scene with a reputation for energetic live performances of swing, funk, Latin and other styles. By contrast, fellow Lowlanders Dans Dans (Canteen, Wednesday 4) arrive from Belgium as a definite left field item, with moody instrumental lounge-style reworking of jazz standards and noir-ish originals led by Bert Dockx’ measured guitar.
is needed now More than ever
Ibou Tall’s Jazzmates on a previous Fringe visit
A flurry of global influences begins with Senegalese pianist Ibou Tall returning to Fringe Jazz (Wednesday 4) with his multi-national (albeit Bristol-based) Jazzmates quintet. Ibou’s music is a great combination of classic modern jazz and the rhythms and melodies of West Africa. Then accordionist Marek Salmon showcases Argentinian tango in a Tribute to Astor Piazzolla (Fringe, Thursday 5), with John Pearce’s passionate violin matching Marek’s authentic bandoneon playing. The same night down at St George there’s a Latin-Caribbean fiesta when Colombian vocal veteran Toto La Momposina joins reggae collective (including beatmaster Rob Smith) AMJ and children from Bristol primary schools.
Tomasz Bura gets laid back
Mauritian vocalist Rouhangeze Baichoo appears on Thursday, too, alongside classically-inspired Polish pianist Tomasz Bura’s trio at Future Inn. Her relaxed and fluent vocal style is a great cool foil for Tomasz’ crisp and analytical piano, but there should be nothing cool about the Mustard Brass Band who fire up their New Orleans brassy funk sound at No 1 Harbourside (Saturday 7) .
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