It hardly seems possible but here we are again in Cheltenham for the fist big festival of 2009. It really does only seem like a couple of months ago that we here last!
On thursday night the BBC Big band with Guy Barker and his band did a great and at times moving tribute to Billy Strayhorn and his time with Duke Ellington. Madeleine Bell and Ian Shaw were brilliant on vocals and so was newcomer Emma Smith. Guy and the big band were terrific, Alan Barnes playing a couple of sublime solos.
Friday night saw the festival get under way in great style starting with a double bill at the Everyman. First up was Pat Martino, whom we saw in Umbria last year and if anything his set here was even better. Tony Monoco on Hammond was terrific.
The second half of the show featured sax player Julian Arguelles and band featuring guitarist John Abercrombie - this was the first concert for the two of them and it made for some great interplay between the two. Tom Rainey on drums, as ever was as tight and on the button throughout the set.
Hey Julian. this ones a bit hard!
Pat Martino
Meanwhile, over at the Town Hall, and behind closed doors, Hugh Masekela was getting it together with a band put together at the very last minute when unfortunately the flight carrying his own band from South Africa was cancelled at the last minute leaving them at the airport and Hugh with a few phone calls to make. Of course as it worked out the show was a brilliant success, sold out, and Hugh was amazing - it didn't take long to get the capacity crowd singing and dancing along with his african beats. There were a lot of happy faces after this show!
Next up in the Pillar Room at 10pm were Get the Blessing, the four piece from Bristol have made a huge impact since coming on the scene and this show showed exactly why they are one of the hotest new bands on the scene. Sadly the lighting in the Pillar room was so crap that it was almost impossible to take photos - fortunately the were playing later on at the Jazz on 3 show in the Everyman theatre, which is were I headed off to next.
The next slot was an absolute gem - now it's not often that you will hear me say, 'solo bagpipes', but in the hands of Paul Dunmall it was spellbinding and unmissable. Paul is a terrific improviser and free player (just catch his solo on 'Lazy Blinker' on the Dave Stapleton Quintet album 'When Life Was In Black & White) but this 10 minute performance was quite sublime - The show is broadcast on Radio 3 on Monday night if you want to hear it for yourself.
The penultimate band were the Convergence Quartet, agaim whom I haven't seen before, but they were mightily impressive mixing totally free improv with some lovely written pieces.
Last on but none the less right on the button, were Get the Blessing, mixing treated sax and trumpet with electric bass and guitar the sound is almost perfect. Catchy tunes and thumping beats make them a great live band - well worth the attention they are getting.
Hey Julian. this ones a bit hard!
Pat Martino
Meanwhile, over at the Town Hall, and behind closed doors, Hugh Masekela was getting it together with a band put together at the very last minute when unfortunately the flight carrying his own band from South Africa was cancelled at the last minute leaving them at the airport and Hugh with a few phone calls to make. Of course as it worked out the show was a brilliant success, sold out, and Hugh was amazing - it didn't take long to get the capacity crowd singing and dancing along with his african beats. There were a lot of happy faces after this show!
Next up in the Pillar Room at 10pm were Get the Blessing, the four piece from Bristol have made a huge impact since coming on the scene and this show showed exactly why they are one of the hotest new bands on the scene. Sadly the lighting in the Pillar room was so crap that it was almost impossible to take photos - fortunately the were playing later on at the Jazz on 3 show in the Everyman theatre, which is were I headed off to next.The Jazz on 3 show is now a firm favourite at Cheltenham and Jez and the team had a great line up for the audience, and so it was a little dissapointing bearing in mind these tickets are free that the place was barely half full.
First up on the show was Will Vinson, an alto player that I have not seen before, playing alongside guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel. Very nice it was too, not pushing the boundaries exactly but tight, inventive and to the point.
The next slot was an absolute gem - now it's not often that you will hear me say, 'solo bagpipes', but in the hands of Paul Dunmall it was spellbinding and unmissable. Paul is a terrific improviser and free player (just catch his solo on 'Lazy Blinker' on the Dave Stapleton Quintet album 'When Life Was In Black & White) but this 10 minute performance was quite sublime - The show is broadcast on Radio 3 on Monday night if you want to hear it for yourself.
The penultimate band were the Convergence Quartet, agaim whom I haven't seen before, but they were mightily impressive mixing totally free improv with some lovely written pieces.
Last on but none the less right on the button, were Get the Blessing, mixing treated sax and trumpet with electric bass and guitar the sound is almost perfect. Catchy tunes and thumping beats make them a great live band - well worth the attention they are getting.
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