No beatniks and only two berets

What a great start to the Autumn season at Seven Jazz – three totally different gigs – all of them well played and totally accessible.

Sunday 12th was The Mike Hope Quartet – I’d not heard the name before, but when I was told he is lead tenor for the Syd Lawrence Orchestra, I knew he could play. Not only that, but he brought an immaculate set list to play …. for starters - Bird’s “Cool Blues”, “On Green Dolphin Street”, “Body and Soul”.

With Wynton Kelly style piano from Al McSween, shimmering cymbals and driving rhythm from Caroline Boaden on drums – whenever you see these two names in the band, just come to the gig. They are both immaculate musicians.

Nice to see Steve Crocker deliver a solid bass groove - well-respected, one of the key people behind Seven Jazz – he’s also a good musician, who probably doesn’t play as much as he or the audience would like.

More great tunes followed - “I’ll Remember April”, “My Romance”, “I Can’t Get Started”, “Corcovado” – the titles tell you the kind of gig it was.
Mellow-toned and lyrical sax over a solid supportive rhythm, their closer was an intense version of Sonny Rollins “Oleo”.

Sunday 19th September was something else! – a full house came along to see Yoruba – a salsa / jazz combo emanating from the Leeds College of Music. All artists give something each time they play and that was the case here. An impassioned tenor solo on the first tune set the tone for the rest of the band and the rest of the gig – it was followed closely by an equally inspired baritone solo. The band were up and running – the pace did not let up all the way through.

It was percussionist Ali Mac’s birthday and he featured throughout –
On one occasion moving from a solo ending on a Chick Corea piece straight into an intro on Freddie Hubbard’s “Gibraltar”. Nice!

A highlight of the second half was the Salsa Celtica tune “Flaquita”, which saw the front line horns stooping to sing into their mikes before another Ali Mac solo.

The horn solos without exception were on the money throughout and the rhythm section drove them along, inspiring each other. The closer was “Tiempo de Festival” which appropriately enough for a Salsa band ended with drums and percussion.

Great set – lots of appreciation from the audience.

Sunday 26th September was different again – pianist Louis Peakall’s Quartet. Their first tune was a landscape of sound – spiritual in feel …. followed in turns by pieces which inspired different emotions – blues, contemplation, upfulness. The whole set was a mix of standards and arrangements / compositions by the band – notably Max Sterling on bass and Phil Meadows on sax.

This quartet is another group arising out of The Leeds College of Music, and it was just fabulous - my favourite of the three. With some hesitant introductions, Louis Peakall seems unused to being in the role of leader, but somehow it adds to the charm of the music. I wonder if they know how good they all are already?

I especially enjoyed Phil Meadows’ “Beautiful Love” with a haunting, achingly beautiful piano intro and an exciting version of “Afro Blue” – these two tunes closing the first half of their set.

A quirky composition by the bassman opened the second set, a wistful piano solo introduced us to “On Green Dolphin Street” next and then Herbie Hancock’s “Butterfly” saw Phil Meadows on soprano sax and a lengthy solo from the leader.

“By Wednesday” is a Phil Meadows composition – in fact his very first. It was also featured when Phil led his own group here at Seven back in January this year – this time it showcased some really beautiful playing from both sax and piano.

Their closer was an unbelievable version of “Girl From Ipanema” – like no other version I’ve heard before – ever! …. ending with a great drum solo from Steve Hanley.

What a gig! They may not have that many tunes in their repertoire, but I think they should record what they have. Phil Meadows is an outstanding musician, but the rest of this group is up there as well.

If a requirement of music is to move people, then this music did just that. Remember you saw them at Seven first when they were just setting out as jazz musicians!

Start of Term report for Seven Jazz - could not do better.

Jazz has something of a bad name – if you’re in doubt about whether or not to come along to Seven on a Sunday afternoon, what’s the worst that could happen?

All the jazz is accessible, free jazz leave its coat at the door. There are no beatniks here and so far I’ve only seen two berets.

Give it a go …. And don’t forget Tony Kofi on Thursday evening, September 30th. Last time here he played a blinder.