Music / Jazz
The week in Jazz June 25 – July 1
There’s much talk of a new young energy on the UK jazz scene, evidenced by outfits like Jazz Re:Freshed and Ezra Collective. The less snappily named quintet PYJAEN (Future Inn, Thursday 28) is very likely to be linked with those, not least because trumpeter Dylan Jones is also a member of the Ezras. Emerging from the well-respected Trinity Laban jazz stable the band have a bright and fresh sound and fearlessly plan to present Miles Davis’ Afro-funky Tutu album later this year. There’s a strong element of improvisation in the music but always within clearly structured tunes and grooves.
Ben Waghorn
Tenor saxophonist Ben Waghorn has a strong reputation for improvising, too, not least in his long-standing role in the excellent Andy Hague Quintet and past involvement with Keith Tippett and others. He doesn’t often get to be bandleader, however, so the visit of the Ben Waghorn Quartet to the Fringe (Wednesday 27) is a rare chance to catch him in that role. With the eminently groovy combination of jazz-rock guitarist Jerry Crozier Cole and roiling Hammond organ demon John-paul Gard, plus Eddie John on drums, Ben aims to repeat the success of their last visit to the Fringe a mere 5 years ago.
Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe – aka Lichens
There’s something of a treat for the hardcore improvisation crowd coming to the Arnolfini on Saturday (30) when QuJunktions present the UK debut of Yunohana Variations, a collaborative trio of sound artist Lichens (aka Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe), ex-Boredoms instrumentalist YoshimiO and percussionist Susie Ibarra. All three have perfect avant-garde credentials gained in the US, Japan and Europe and previous collaborations have emerged on Thrill Jockey records. Closer to home, London-based drum and guitar electronica duo Minus Pilots (Cafe Kino, Friday 29) have a big rep all over Europe for their spacious sound worlds. They headline a luxurious bill with equally atmospheric solo projects Saltings, Stereocilia and ANH.
is needed now More than ever
C.W.Stoneking jumping them blues
In much more familiar territory this week sees the return of a sometime Bristol resident, namely Australian ‘viper blues’ exponent C.W.Stoneking (Thekla, Wednesday 27). The hairstyle says it all really – an unashamed retro-feast of pre-war jazz-blues, complete with novelty lyrics, done with conviction and authenticity. The Roamin’ Jasmine’s Taylor Smith (Canteen, Friday 29) has a similar revival mission but is less bothered about authenticity of material choosing instead to take vintage blues and even Calypso tunes as the basis for a good ol’ Dixieland workout. He’s well entitled, hailing as he does from the French Quarter of New Orleans, and it sounds pretty good.
Perehaps Contraption
Perhaps Contraption (Old Market Assembly, Friday 29) on the other hand deliver their own meltdown of cabaret jazz and New Orleans marching music with riotous amounts of energy and deceptively sharp musicality. Theirs is always a full-on performance – they’ve been known to parade through Glastonbury Festival for hours. More calm fare can be had on the same evening over in El Rincon where accomplished jazz pianist and composer Andrew Christie brings his filmic ambient compositions, complete with Sarah Moody’s haunting cello.
Jake McMurchie (right) begins his gigathon
And finally … last week’s bulletin awarded the hardest working jazz musician to trumpeter Pete Judge for his three gigs in three bands over three nights. However, following a stewards enquiry and VAR investigation it has been agreed that the award should have gone to Pete’s Get The Blessing colleague Jake McMurchie who managed three gigs with three bands in under 48 hours. Needless to say, heads have rolled in the stewards enclosure.
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