Real New Orleans jazz from a New Orleans band. Trumpet, trombone, clarinet, guitar, double bass and washboard. A familiar enough set up, but, done well, it's still a foot tapping and entertaining form of music. This band do it really well.
In the first half they were joined by well know Scots jazz singer Alison Affleck, and most numbers featured her vocals. They looked relaxed and confident in one another, with a great deal of mutual respect for their abilities, but there was always a sense that this relationship was holding the band back from expressing themselves fully. They provided some excellent solos, were amusing at times, but allowed Affleck to run the show. She's an ever-reliable vocalist, but a bit staid in this youthful company, and for me the highlight of the set was an outstanding and ever so casual washboard solo from Defne Incitlioglu performed with inspired simplicity.
For the second set we were down to the six band members, and it felt like a totally different gig as they seemed more themselves, with greater freedom to express their talents, and a chance for us to hear their own singing voices. They're fun, funny and play their music with verve, talent and imagination. The set list is fluid, made up they go along, an evolving process shared with the audience. And they have some strong singers in the line up. Trombonist Haruka Kikuchi has a limited range, but an engaging earthiness to her voice. Guitarist Molly Reeves has a sweeter tone, a perfect ballad sound. Chloe Feoranzo gave a wonderful Bessie Smith rendition, and impressed me more than Affleck. But top place goes to trumpeter Marla Dixon, full of power and expression and sass and a really great jazz vocalist. Her trumpet solos stay longest in the memory too, clever, sometimes teasing, often unpredictable.
If you like this genre of music, the SEUJB will get you laughing, moving and into the night with a big grin.
No comments:
Post a Comment