Music / andy sheppard
The week in Jazz Nov 6-12
Yes, he’s back – though sadly for one night only. Bristol jazz’s prodigal son Andy Sheppard returns to St George’s (Thursday 9) to launch Beyond The Dancing Sun, his fourth album for ECM records and the second with the superb quartet that recorded Surrounded by Sea. It’s noteworthy how those titles reflect Andy’s move from Bristol to Portugal and it will be interesting to feel the sunnier European climes in what’s promised to be a new direction for the band.
The Instant Composers Pool Orchestra
More chaotic European fare comes to the Widcome Social Club down the road in Bath in the sprawling shape of the legendary Instant Composers Pool Orchestra (Monday 6). Now in their 50th year this anarchic jazz co-op mixes spontaneous music with the fluid compositions of founder Misha Mengelberg. Though he is now sadly departed his original collaborator drummer Han Bennink remains a powerful (and gloriously disruptive) influence and, like the Sun Ra Arkestra, the ICP retains its unique spirit and distinctive energy despite the loss of an inspirational founding figure.
Ralph Clarkson – more dissolute than he looks
Trumpeter Nick Malcolm would, for sure, be a fan of the spontaneity and imagination of the ICP and his new electro-acoustic project Jade boasts ‘four fierce improvisers’ aiming to mash up all sorts of hip stuff. Their appearance at Cafe Kino (Wednesday 8) is a double bill with a trio version of the more restrained Dissolute Society, trombonist Ralph Clarkson’s spoken word and improvised jazz outfit. More musical free-thinking comes to the Greenback on Thursday (9) in the highly spontaneous form of Marshall, Helson, Long and The Incongruity Project .
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Tank and the Bangas – coming to Trinity for Big Fun
And, indeed, there’s loads of jazz-hued fun to be had this week, including Leeds Afro-funk fusioneers Tetes de Pois (Canteen, Thursday 9), Pama International ’s rootsy ska (Attic, Saturday 11), the remorselessy funky Blockheads (Fleece, Friday 10) or Scotland’s finest funk act (probably) The Average White Band (Colston Hall, Sunday 12). But the heads up for the funkiest, jazziest and most fun night out must go to the amazing Tank & The Bangas (Trinity, Sunday 12). Fronted by ebullient slam poet Tarriona ’Tank’ Ball the band from New Orleans rocketed onto the international stage this year by winning the 2017 NPR Tiny Desk song contest with Quick, a compelling suite of soul, hip-hop, gospel and jazz that showcases Tank’s impressive range.
Roger Beaujolais poised for action
More orthodox jazz pleasures are to be found at the city’s regular weekly sessions, with The Fringe (Wednesday 8) hosting the suave vibraphone of Roger Beaujolais in a quartet with guitarist Neil Burns and Future Inn (Thursday 9) starting early to squeeze in a double bill of foursomes led by world music influenced pianist Philip Clouts and hard bop saxophonist Greg Abate. Film composer and bandleader Dave Jones also brings a quartet to the Bebop Club (Friday 10) with Ashley Long’s bass popping up again after his Greenback workout the night before and Ben Waghorn adding sax to Andy Hague’s drumming.
Heliocentrics – Ethio-funk and beyond
And, finally, it’s a rich week for electronic music explorations though, sadly, it all crashes together on Saturday night (11). At Salt Cafe sound artist Kayla Painter leads a triple bill of electronica, while the Arnolfini’s Room 237 night is headlined by Finnish hypo-techno producer Aleksi Perälä. Most intriguing, however, will be The Heliocentrics appearance at Kuumba. Having caught the ears with their early Ethio-Funk collaboration with Mulatu Astatke the ever-restless band have gone on to explore Afrobeat and Middle Eastern grooves. Latest album A World of Masks combines those influences in a distinctive (and danceable) combination of jazz and electronic sound.
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