Jazz Jamaica
Of the 10 acts we've seen in the last 5 days Jazz Jamaica were one of the best.
Made particularly enjoyable because they had as a special guest, Myrna Hague, doing this very number
Tres elegant, tres cool. A privilege to see her in action
Another poignant moment - in the foyer, the local East Midlands young jazzers (Rampage Jazz Band) were doing their incarnation of a New Orleans band; one of their chosen tracks was Valerie, made famous by Amy Winehouse who, as I'm sure you all remember, used to sing jazz on the club circuit in her early days. I noticed Robin Banerjee from Jazz Jamaica standing with them & clapping their leader on the back at the end of the track. Turns out that day was Amy's birthday and that he used to play with her when she was on that circuit.
I liked their trombonist, Harry Brown, the natural successor to Rico who, some might say, was the natural successor to Don Drummond - the audio heritage of a dynasty like that is bound to be a pleasure to listen to...he was an able leader had also written some of the arrangements. Their main repertoire being jazz interpretations of ska classics with a Mingus influence.
Except they did play a James Bond theme tune selection - not quite sure how that fitted in with their celebration of 50 years of Jamacan independence, but worked for me.
then there were the Cuban numbers - to my shame I didn't realise that Cuba & Jamaica are only 50 miles apart which explains the strength of the cross-cultural pollination between the two...Buena Vista Social Club meet the Skatallites.
Their finale was My boy Lollipop - invigorating the song with the wonderful Myrna Hague letting rip and some incredible solos. Many feet were up and moving much to the pleasure of Mr Crosby (the actual leader).
You always know it's a good gig when it seems to have ended much too soon....
A great live band with a tight, precise, believable (pace Mr. Sherratt) sound.
Catch them if you get the chance.
Made particularly enjoyable because they had as a special guest, Myrna Hague, doing this very number
Tres elegant, tres cool. A privilege to see her in action
Another poignant moment - in the foyer, the local East Midlands young jazzers (Rampage Jazz Band) were doing their incarnation of a New Orleans band; one of their chosen tracks was Valerie, made famous by Amy Winehouse who, as I'm sure you all remember, used to sing jazz on the club circuit in her early days. I noticed Robin Banerjee from Jazz Jamaica standing with them & clapping their leader on the back at the end of the track. Turns out that day was Amy's birthday and that he used to play with her when she was on that circuit.
I liked their trombonist, Harry Brown, the natural successor to Rico who, some might say, was the natural successor to Don Drummond - the audio heritage of a dynasty like that is bound to be a pleasure to listen to...he was an able leader had also written some of the arrangements. Their main repertoire being jazz interpretations of ska classics with a Mingus influence.
Except they did play a James Bond theme tune selection - not quite sure how that fitted in with their celebration of 50 years of Jamacan independence, but worked for me.
then there were the Cuban numbers - to my shame I didn't realise that Cuba & Jamaica are only 50 miles apart which explains the strength of the cross-cultural pollination between the two...Buena Vista Social Club meet the Skatallites.
Their finale was My boy Lollipop - invigorating the song with the wonderful Myrna Hague letting rip and some incredible solos. Many feet were up and moving much to the pleasure of Mr Crosby (the actual leader).
You always know it's a good gig when it seems to have ended much too soon....
A great live band with a tight, precise, believable (pace Mr. Sherratt) sound.
Catch them if you get the chance.
; but I've always loved their stuff, and Gary Crosby's done just so much good for jazz in this country these last 25+ years.
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