Wayne Shorter & Brad Mehldau

One of the most anticipated evenings of the festival was tonight - a solo set from pianist Brad Mehldau and then the legendary Wayne Shorter Quartet, featuring Brian Blade (drums), Danilo Perez (piano) and John Patitucci on bass.

Mehldau was gone down the route of no photos at all either in the sound check or during his performance - so I can't share with you any of the images from his show. Needless to say it was a flawless display of solo piano easily matching Keith Jarrett in quality and technique - stand out for me was 'My Favourite things' which he played and explored quite beautifully.

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Wayne Shorter has a long and very distinguished career in jazz and in recent years has been exploring long meandering pieces with this quartet - playing fractured shards of notes, whistling and generally overseeing the interplay between the other members.

Us photographers were allowed the first three numbers to take pictures but as the first tune went on for more than 40 minutes most had left long before the end.

The evening was rounded off by another great performance from Regina Carter - this time in the intimate surroundings of the Midnight Club - unmissable!

Tonight it will be Dee Dee Bridgewater, China Moses & Raphael Lemonnier, Martin Pryker and lastly Jason Lindner featuring Edmar Castaneda - can't wait!

Monday 28th June Manhattan Transfer & Regina Carter

Tonight's double bill couldn't have produced two more different styles - the easy sing-a-long style of Manhattan Transfer and the beautifully crafted African themed music from Regina Carter and Reverse Thread.

Regina had popped up last night along with Liz McComb for the Gospel evening and here tonight she was joined by regular band members Chris Lightcap (Bass) and Alvester Garnett on drums.

The other players with her tonight were Kora player Balla Tounkara and piano accordionist Will Holshouser - this project concentrating on music from Mali and Senegal in West Africa.

Regina is a phenominal player her touch and intonation one of the best of the modern jazz violinists and her ability to hold and keep the audience was more than evident. She was brought back for her encore with a rousing ovation from the capacity crowd!

The main attraction of the evening were Manhattan Transfer who have had a long and eventfull career since their beginnings way back in 1969. With a very slick show and so many numbers that are so well known they kept the crowd dancing until the very end of a long show.

Tonight it is a wonderful double bill of Wayne Shorter and Brad (no photos) Mehldau

Sunday 27th June - Gospel Night

Tonight is gospel night and the show features singer Liz McComb and an combination of musicians featuring one of my favourite violinists, Regina Carter - cellist Akua Dixon, Calvin Cooke on pedal steel guitar and Phil Makaia on gwokas among others.

Ranging from duets on piano with Bertrand Richard to trio and quartet pieces, obviously all with a gospel theme Liz moved through her repertoire, possibly a little slowly in the first half, very nice but all sounding very solemn and straight.

Harmonising with the rev Harold Johnston, who played Hammond most of the evening (but not enough for me!)

However, thankfully things took off in the second half with the introduction of the Sacred Voices (three lovely ladies doing backing vocals) and the tempo and the material hotted up and Liz really let rip in best gospel fashion rocking the stage the house and most of the photographers in the pit!

The show ended with a great Gwoka flavoured romp with as many endings and restarts as a James Brown concert - the second half was great entertainment and the capacity crowd went home foot tapping and well and truly sanctified!

Monday night features Manhattan Transfer and Regina Carter and Reverse Thread

Jazz a Vienne 2010

Well here we are again for another series of Jazz Shows across Europe. As always we will start with one of our favourite festivals at Vienne - not far from Lyon and on the banks of the Rhone this is simply a fantastic place to spend time sightseeing and listening to some of the top music from around the globe.

Our festival season started with a great double bill showcasing the talents and musical genres of two completely different classic guitar genres.

First on stage wad Dorado Schmitt and his not inconsiderate family who all have mastered the Manouche style of guitar. This being the 100th anniversary of Django's birth it was a fitting tribute to the man and his music.

Key to this performance were the Rhythm guitar played unerringly all night by Hono Winterstein and accordian player Marcel Loeffler who's comping and soloing were superb.

Top of the bill was the incomparable Paco de Lucia - the master of flamenco. Playing with a n ensemble featuring vocals, percussion and dance this was a spine tingling show brimming with passion and romance. Unfortuantely we were not allowed to photograph 'Farruco' the male dancer who's percussive foot movements were an integral part of the music. De Lucia was lyrical and aggresive and always in control of the music . The show was perfectoy constructed and came to an amazing powerful climax that did make the hairs stand up on the back of the neck - superb!

Sunday night will be Gospel featuring Liz McComb.