Hey hobo: wanna Mobo (or two)?

[Serial_Apologist]

Was surprised when this young woman popped up on the local Lunchtime News on BBC1, not having previously heard of her:

http://www.yolandabrown.co.uk

As far as one could tell from the 2 seconds of her playing not drowned in the presenter's voiceover she has a good sound and probably technique, but immediately one saw the three metrosexual males lined up onstage, probably her backing singers, and kinda got the message confirmed in the attached link.

Rather than raising hackles the aim of drawing her to boredees' attention is to suggest one indication of a possible lucrative alternative route other young jazzobees from the Barkings of this world might be tempted to follow Ms Brown down in the hard years ahead......... But I seriously hope most wont.

S-A

[Byas'd Opinion]

I saw her at Glasgow jazz fest a couple of years ago (http://byased.wordpress.com/2009/06/23/80/). Decent enough player, blowing uncomplicated lines over a soul-funk backing (with hints of reggae and African music). Very showbizzy presentation. The Herald's jazz critic reckoned that "the overall effect is of an end of pier jazz show but my guess is, it's bringing new people to the music". (http://www.heraldscotland.com/glasgo...tival-1.839082)

She's not the first player since the 60s to try reconnecting jazz to Black popular music - Miles, Roland Kirk, Albert Ayler and Courtney Pine have all had a go - but I don't think anyone's really pulled it off. I certainly think she's got the presentation and marketing skills to get noticed in the mainstream media, even if I'm not sure where she'll end up on the hardcore jazz to jazzy pop spectrum.

Of course, other young British female saxophonists are available, even if they don't make the BBC news. For instance, there's Leah Gough-Cooper: http://www.leahgoughcooper.com/music/video/

[Serial_Apologist]

I saw her at Glasgow jazz fest a couple of years ago (http://byased.wordpress.com/2009/06/23/80/). Decent enough player, blowing uncomplicated lines over a soul-funk backing (with hints of reggae and African music). Very showbizzy presentation. The Herald's jazz critic reckoned that "the overall effect is of an end of pier jazz show but my guess is, it's bringing new people to the music". (http://www.heraldscotland.com/glasgo...tival-1.839082)

She's not the first player since the 60s to try reconnecting jazz to Black popular music - Miles, Roland Kirk, Albert Ayler and Courtney Pine have all had a go - but I don't think anyone's really pulled it off. I certainly think she's got the presentation and marketing skills to get noticed in the mainstream media, even if I'm not sure where she'll end up on the hardcore jazz to jazzy pop spectrum.

Of course, other young British female saxophonists are available, even if they don't make the BBC news. For instance, there's Leah Gough-Cooper: http://www.leahgoughcooper.com/music/video/

Very impressive player, Leah, very impressive post-Paraphernalia/post-Weather Report type fusion band, so thanks for this introduction, Byas'd.

Email just received from one of my local jazz locales, which I no longer attend since it unfortunately has rejigged its programming in the showbizzy manner to which you refer:

"Friday 2nd March - Tommy Blaize Band
We've all loved his show-stopping performances on Strictly Come Dancing ..."

Err - NO WE HAVEN'T!!!

By way of some... consolation, here is one from down here: I was at her first clip; but not behind the camera, it should be mentioned:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfs77puWN6E&feature=related

and *informally* in interview - for the Yolanda-from-Barking comparison:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asrDsceBGdI