Jazz a Vienne 2019

[Ian Thumwood]

I arrived on Saturday evening and started listening on Sunday, a day when Vienne is quiet with all the shops and most of the restaurants closed. There was a parade around the town on Sunday morning by a mixed aged New orleans marching band which was good fun. The afternoon sessions did not start for me until later on when I caught the 3 girl singing group Les Swingirls who Andrews sisters reworking of pop was aimed at a young audience

This was followed by the Iray Trio who yet again demonstrated the massive influence of Brad Melhdau . I found it boring with the ostinato bass and pattering drums something I have grown to dislike. Much better was the Leon Phal quintet who sounded a lot like some of Dave Douglas recent bands. This was terrific. I followed this up with bit of gospel in the cathedral . There was no gig in the Theatre Antiques.

[Ian Thumwood]

Yesterday promised more. The lunchtime gig was by the J and W big band from the Lyon conservatoire who played number of Basie charts from the 1950s as well as some Bill Holman and Bob Curnow s Metheny arrangements. I loved this. This was followed by Band from florida university who demolished charts by the likes of wayne shorter, Jimmy Heath and number of classics. The line up featured all saxes and then all trombones. I was very impressed e specially with the drunmet.

Thomas Doucets soul revival was authentic and sincere but not my bag even if done well.

The evening gig of blues featuring Ben Harper was cancelled due to the risks with the biblical thunderstorm which made the venue unsafe. There is a similar risk tonight with Bobby McFerrin. Fingers crossed.

Been inLyon today where everything is building up for the match against the US in the women's world cup. Shame tickets had sold in advance as this would have got the nod ahead of the jazz.

[Serial_Apologist]

Yesterday promised more. The lunchtime gig was by the J and W big band from the Lyon conservatoire who played number of Basie charts from the 1950s as well as some Bill Holman and Bob Curnow s Metheny arrangements. I loved this. This was followed by Band from florida university who demolished charts by the likes of wayne shorter, Jimmy Heath and number of classics. The line up featured all saxes and then all trombones. I was very impressed e specially with the drunmet.

Thomas Doucets soul revival was authentic and sincere but not my bag even if done well.

The evening gig of blues featuring Ben Harper was cancelled due to the risks with the biblical thunderstorm which made the venue unsafe. There is a similar risk tonight with Bobby McFerrin. Fingers crossed.

Been inLyon today where everything is building up for the match against the US in the women's world cup. Shame tickets had sold in advance as this would have got the nod ahead of the jazz.

That's saying some about what's happened to a festival you once reported so fulsomely on, here, Ian.

[Ian Thumwood]

I did post another report but it did not upload.

Yesterday started with singer / pianist Macha Gharibian who was a former pupil of Steve coleman and Uri Caine. The set started with Armenian folk influences but later embraced EDM and Paul Simon. The vocals reminded me a bit of Annette Peacock and the whole set was quite intriguing. I think she will be a name to look out for as her music was quite different.

[Ian Thumwood]

The evening gig was a mixed bag. Jose James has been lauded as the next big male jazz singer but his tribute to Bill Withers palled in comparison and ifelt he was more of a pop act.

The second half featured the seemingly unrewarding prospect of Bobby McFerrin fronting a 5 piece acapella vocal group that was later augmented by a 30 piece choir. Expectations were dumbfounded by a set that seemed to take it cues from Steve Reich and African music. The result was fascinating and nicely showed McFerrins serious approach to music. Unlikely as it seems, throwing spontaneous nature of the music made this compelling and demonstrative of the kind of genuine risk taking associated with jazz.

[Ian Thumwood]

I staggered through the early hours to catch Marquis Hills quintet. Despite the odd bit of sampling, this was straight ahead contemporary jazz and more rewarding than the groups previous visit to Southampton. The trumpet playing leader was upstaged by his brilliant alto playing partner but the pianist also generated a roar of approval. No credits in the programme.

[Ian Thumwood]

I missed the hip hop influenced session at lunchtime as I was in the museum but caught singer and bassist Naima Girou whose quartet featured a Scofield influenced guitar and played set the was inspired by the likes of betty Carter amd was firmly in the jazz tradition. No tipping the hat towards pop in a satisfying and credible performance.

Even better was an identical Slovenian quartet who channelled 1970s Terje Rydal and Metheny with balkan influences. Amazed that something this brilliant could exist in Slovenia but the music had a bite and attack that was really exciting. This is the best group I have heard so far. Full credit to guitarist Iztok Rodez and the exceptional drumming of Miran Celec.

[Ian Thumwood]

Last night's main concert was a double bill with chick Corea opening with a set dedicated to Paco du Lucia. Decent turn from trumpeter Michael Rodriquez and Steve Davis with Marcus Gilmore on drums. The mixture of jazz and flamenco worked whereas the following set by guitarist Juan Carmona skirted Gypsy Kings territory and was abject. I left after 30 mins as I could not stand it any longer. Spanish music is generally pretty poor but carmona was dreadful and emptied the stadium of the jazz fans.

Best concert so far was the Brazilian big band Projeto Coisa Fina which performed the music of arranger Moacir Santos who is unknown other than for writing the theme to Mission Impossible although incorrectly credited to Schiffren. A 13 piece unit that played with the abandon of Mingus but in a style redolent of 60s and 70s. The charts were simole but whipped the crowd in toa frenzy. Impossible not to love this music and the spirit and affection with which these old tunes were played. Unlikely to hear anything better this year.

[Ian Thumwood]

English pride restored at Vienne this evening following the defeat at the hands of the Yanks in the world cup.

First set was by Kokoroko. No line up details in the programme but trumpeter / leader Sheila Maurice -Grey produced a blistering and we'll received set of Afro-beat inspired jazz. It was all all female front line with alto and trombone. I think that the current generation of young black players in the UK have taken jazz by the horns and are coming up with something fresh.

The second set by Snarky Puppy was slicker yet a lot of noise for no good purpose. Interesting to hear this band in the light of Joseph's thread about Bitches Brew. A group like SP is a natural evolution although there were moments when this came across as amped up Smooth Jazz. Not sure how they have garnered such a reputation as the music was dull and owed more to pop than jazz. Most of the set was self indulgent and whilst you could appreciate the chops , ultimately it was a jam band whose music was pointless and vorcous. I felt this band was extremely overrated and much less human than the English group.

The big bands continue to deliver during the festival.

[Serial_Apologist]

I think that the current generation of young black players in the UK have taken jazz by the horns and are coming up with something fresh

So do I, Ian. The trouble is, one rarely gets to see these bands in London gigs for some reason - maybe they self-publicise in cultural minority publications. Shabaka Hutchinson seems to be the only one with much exposure in London. The links I posted here a few weeks ago of young British bands were from places I'd never heard of.

[Ian Thumwood]

It is quite rewarding to hear a lot of the young generation of players in France . Thursday evening featured a set by Julien Dawaele who performed a solo piano set that was heavily transformed by his computer which set up loops and offered an electronic background that reminded me of thunderstorm. This is how innovation now seems to express itself.

I much preferred Supergumbo whose baritone and trumpet front line grooved over Alan impressive Afro-beat. The group were ecstatic and no surprise with the main drummer proving to be an exceptional MC. Really good fun and nothing to dislike. Just pure joy.

[Ian Thumwood]

I spent yesterday in Lyons going around the museum since I am equally passionate about archaeology. Got back in time to hear Shems Bandali 5tet who offered some terrific contemporary jazz in trumpet and tenor front line. They played one ballad which struck me as being exceptional but the whole set was splendid with clever writing andown Tom Harrell / ECM feel. One of the best gigs so far .

[Ian Thumwood]

Not sure what happened with the gig in the theatre antique. London'so Tom Misch's set was pure Smooth Jazz with the musical nous of Adele. This was very dull and weak. French jazz and Rap group Hocus Pocus were more musical but I can only listen to Raphael for about half hour before being bored. Left early to go to the Scene de Cybele and enjoy an IPA and listen to an acoustic jazz group.

Caught the Brignais big band this lunchtime in a set of standards indebted to Sinatra although very little jazz. Again, the repertoire was very different from the 1930s classics billed in the brochure whose descriptions are not always accurate.

Lunchope break over and now off to listen some more......

[Ian Thumwood]

The main gig was affected by a storm and I did not stay on for the second set by Charlie Winston as I was drenched. The first part was a gig by Franco Cuban sistars Ibeyi who featurned trumpeter Erik Truffaz as a guest. The singers played keyboards and electric drums but I was undecided about how much was live and how much was sequenced. By the end the musical merits were spread too thinly. Parts reminded me of Bjork and I felt this was only on the fringes of jazz and live music! !!

The main gigs have been a lot down so far with the more hardcore jazz being found elsewhere.

[Ian Thumwood]

The afternoon was more interesting. A quartet from Lyon conservatoire paid homage to 50s style Chet but with interesting repertoire by Shorty Rogers and Barney Kessel. However, the originals were even better. A set delivered with elan but 4 twenty somethings.

The following Oestetik channelled Coltrane in a very austere ECM fashion. I believe the group originated by Romania but at 3 resident in Switzerland. It was impressive and very accomplished but maybe better suited to later in the evening. I would not hesitate surprised if Eicher signed up this tenor led quartet.