HARMLESS FUNK
Pizza Express Maidstone Jazz Club, 12th August 2016
Pizza Express Maidstone Jazz Club, 12th August 2016
Jake Wilson - guitar; Brandon Allen - sax; Jamie Salisbury keyboards composer; Dave Marks - Bass; Jack Pollit drums
An unexpected evening at Maidstone Pizza Express Jazz Club, introduced me to jazz funk outfit, Harmless Funk.
A collective of some of the best jazz musicians London has to offer, they took us through a journey of classic and contemporary funk, delicious jazz, exhilarating rock, tinged with snippets of Latin for good measure.
The bands rendition of David Sanborns “Ramblin “, was electrifying. Jake Wilson’s rhythmic fingers keeping things tight, under pianist composer Jamie Salisbury’s keyboard playing.
For me, the outstanding track of the evening was their modern take on Al Jarreau’s “Spain”. The interplay between keyboard and Brandon Allen on sax (that only joined the group that night) was pure magic.
Billy Cobham’s “Stratus” showcased how masterful this band is, as individual artists. Mama Gun front man Jack Pollit showed his prowess on percussion, transforming a drum kit into a melodic instrument and why he has headlined with the likes of Beyonce and Ed Sheeran.
David Marks makes bass playing look easy, the way he can play with a rhythm pushing his bass to absolute extremes is pure genius, and this was definitely the case on Cold Duck, a track I know well.
Gil Scott Heron’s “Time Remembered” was both inventive and captivating and sent the audience in to rapturous applause.
Jamie Salisbury’s self penned “Fly’s Eyes” proved he is not only a remarkable keyboard player, but a composer who can skilfully craft intricate melodies that can take your breath away one minute and have you on your feet another.
The crowd not wishing the night to end, stomped their feet until the band minus sax player, who had to run to catch his train, kindly played their encore “Happy People”, we were that.
Pizza Express Maidstone Jazz Club is an intimate venue affording the audience to get up close and personal with the performers – “live jazz in your own personal dining space”.
More information from - www.pizzaexpress.com / www.harmlessfunk.com
Reviewed by Jane Bonotto
An unexpected evening at Maidstone Pizza Express Jazz Club, introduced me to jazz funk outfit, Harmless Funk.
A collective of some of the best jazz musicians London has to offer, they took us through a journey of classic and contemporary funk, delicious jazz, exhilarating rock, tinged with snippets of Latin for good measure.
The bands rendition of David Sanborns “Ramblin “, was electrifying. Jake Wilson’s rhythmic fingers keeping things tight, under pianist composer Jamie Salisbury’s keyboard playing.
For me, the outstanding track of the evening was their modern take on Al Jarreau’s “Spain”. The interplay between keyboard and Brandon Allen on sax (that only joined the group that night) was pure magic.
Billy Cobham’s “Stratus” showcased how masterful this band is, as individual artists. Mama Gun front man Jack Pollit showed his prowess on percussion, transforming a drum kit into a melodic instrument and why he has headlined with the likes of Beyonce and Ed Sheeran.
David Marks makes bass playing look easy, the way he can play with a rhythm pushing his bass to absolute extremes is pure genius, and this was definitely the case on Cold Duck, a track I know well.
Gil Scott Heron’s “Time Remembered” was both inventive and captivating and sent the audience in to rapturous applause.
Jamie Salisbury’s self penned “Fly’s Eyes” proved he is not only a remarkable keyboard player, but a composer who can skilfully craft intricate melodies that can take your breath away one minute and have you on your feet another.
The crowd not wishing the night to end, stomped their feet until the band minus sax player, who had to run to catch his train, kindly played their encore “Happy People”, we were that.
Pizza Express Maidstone Jazz Club is an intimate venue affording the audience to get up close and personal with the performers – “live jazz in your own personal dining space”.
More information from - www.pizzaexpress.com / www.harmlessfunk.com
Reviewed by Jane Bonotto