LOVE SUPREME JAZZ FESTIVAL
Glynde Place, Sussesx - 30th July to 2nd July 2017: A Jazz Fans View
Glynde Place, Sussesx - 30th July to 2nd July 2017: A Jazz Fans View
It was the first weekend in July so it just had to be the 5th running of Britain's largest ever outdoor Jazz Festival in the grounds of Glynde Place which was built in 1569. Nestling at the foot of the South Downs, 5k from the County Town of Lewes and 72k from London. The village at the last count in 2011 boasted a population of 249, a Railway Station a shop, a pub plus a fine cricket ground which is home to one of the most successful village cricket teams in England( they recently played in a Lords Final !) Glynde & Beddingham.
The population increases 50 fold for three days when the annual jazz jamboree that takes place in mid summer has it has done since 2013. With six performance areas and a host of other entertainments the show has grown year upon year to the spectacular event it has now become.
The population increases 50 fold for three days when the annual jazz jamboree that takes place in mid summer has it has done since 2013. With six performance areas and a host of other entertainments the show has grown year upon year to the spectacular event it has now become.
My purpose this year was to see five acts that I knew but had never seen live and experience as much more of the festival that time would allow. Here is what happened: Firstly I was sorry to miss Sara Oschlag on The Verdict Jazz Club's bandstand on Friday afternoon. However I have heard this lady sing many times and heard great reports of her set from others as she opened the whole show with a quartet in a programme of great standards. Saturday got off to a fine start in the Verve Jazz Lounge with a panel of four discussing Ella and The Great American Song Book. It was fascinating stuff and the first of many visits made to the most comfortable venue at the Festival. Then to The Big Top and a vocalist I have wanted to see for some time having listened to her show on the radio and seen her TV performances with The John Wilson Orchestra. A "northern girl," CLARE TEAL proved to an expert audience communicator as she fronted "The Mini Big Band" ( 3 reeds, 3 brass plus rhythm). The song's were great, "That old Black Magic" "All Of Me", "Let's Fall In Love" etc etc. Her diction was perfect, she looked fabulous, her jokes were funny and there were great solo contributions from Pete Long on alto and clarinet, Jason Rebello at the piano and the outstanding Paul Booth on tenor. What more could you want on a Saturday lunchtime ?
I have been listening to, and writing about the contemporary German pianist MICHAEL WOLLNY for about a year now, and he has become one of my very favourite artists. He records for the ACT label and with over 20 albums in his back catalogue looks far younger than his 38 years. He took to the stage alongside his regular compatriots Christian Webber on bass and drummer Eric Schaffer. This is a man who is taking the European jazz scene by storm, or more like a tsunami to be honest. His music is free thinking, searching and unpredictable. On Saturday he showed his full capability of at one moment assaulting the instrument with mind blowing ferocity and the next caressing the keys with loving care. The trio speak as one with the hypnotic bass lines, and inventive drumming gelling perfectly with the leaders cascading piano runs . Titles do not matter in this type of music, but we were treated to breath taking versions of compositions from early classical composers all the way to new concepts from all three band members.
The Big Top was crowded for most of the weekend, no more so than for the performance by the ever popular Mica Paris who had chosen to sing numbers from her forthcoming album in tribute to Ella. She wowed the crowd, but for me it was just that little bit full on and and lacked the laid back swing of The First Lady. However Mica did a great post set interview in The Verve Lounge to redress the balance. Bad Bad Not Good, a quartet from the North East are poorly named for the simple reason they are very good indeed with a brand of post bop modernism with themes taken from more recent cultures all delivered in a very uncluttered style showcasing the talents of keyboard man Matt Tavares plus the Tenor of Leyland Whitty.
The only way the crowd moved was forwards as the set ended to claim their coveted positions for the long anticipated arrival of the jazz icon that is HERBIE HANCOCK . All fans are more than aware of the great man's pedigree from the famous Blue Note Recording's, his pivotal presence in Miles second great quintet, to the Headhunters period and well beyond. It was not long before the crowed roared as Herbie casually ambled onto the stage to consult his twelve man road crew regarding the settings of the myriad of technical apparatus required these days, a welcome only exceeded by the overwhelming joy from the already tightly packed multitude as the grand piano was wheeled out and we knew (or thought we did) that there would be some straight ahead playing mixed in with the electronica. A ninety minute set was before us, the leader was supported by a five piece ensemble including American "A" listers James Genius on electric bass and ex "Sting" drummer Vinnie Colaiuta.
The wait had been over (many decades in my case) to see this legend play in person. It was an ethereal outer space like opening as things got underway with Herbie bent over the electrics as one theme segued into the next in an increasingly unremitting wall of sound for the first twenty three minutes. As the set progressed we were treated to periods of our man on the Yamaha Grand, and these were as magnificent as all that we had been listening to over the years. There was a fine rendering of "Actual Proof" and tracks from the 1978 jazz- funk album "Sunlight" including vocal interludes from Herbie, other band members and induced clapping from the crowd. All in all it was a privilege to be in the presence of one of the all time greats even allowing for the omission of some of the traits that had made him so famous in the first place. Leaving the big top before the finale there was just time to pay a quick visit to The Bandstand for the last couple of pieces from the highly impressive young pianist Dave Drake, a Verdict Jazz Club favourite, back once again from his New York performance and educational programme.
The only way the crowd moved was forwards as the set ended to claim their coveted positions for the long anticipated arrival of the jazz icon that is HERBIE HANCOCK . All fans are more than aware of the great man's pedigree from the famous Blue Note Recording's, his pivotal presence in Miles second great quintet, to the Headhunters period and well beyond. It was not long before the crowed roared as Herbie casually ambled onto the stage to consult his twelve man road crew regarding the settings of the myriad of technical apparatus required these days, a welcome only exceeded by the overwhelming joy from the already tightly packed multitude as the grand piano was wheeled out and we knew (or thought we did) that there would be some straight ahead playing mixed in with the electronica. A ninety minute set was before us, the leader was supported by a five piece ensemble including American "A" listers James Genius on electric bass and ex "Sting" drummer Vinnie Colaiuta.
The wait had been over (many decades in my case) to see this legend play in person. It was an ethereal outer space like opening as things got underway with Herbie bent over the electrics as one theme segued into the next in an increasingly unremitting wall of sound for the first twenty three minutes. As the set progressed we were treated to periods of our man on the Yamaha Grand, and these were as magnificent as all that we had been listening to over the years. There was a fine rendering of "Actual Proof" and tracks from the 1978 jazz- funk album "Sunlight" including vocal interludes from Herbie, other band members and induced clapping from the crowd. All in all it was a privilege to be in the presence of one of the all time greats even allowing for the omission of some of the traits that had made him so famous in the first place. Leaving the big top before the finale there was just time to pay a quick visit to The Bandstand for the last couple of pieces from the highly impressive young pianist Dave Drake, a Verdict Jazz Club favourite, back once again from his New York performance and educational programme.
Sunday dawned in bright sunlight to greet forty members of Terry Packs "unfeasibly large" Big Band Trees playing numbers from their very recently released debut album and dvd "Heart Of Oak". The band goes from strength to strength and was on top form in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd. I had heard good reports of the North London based alto saxophonist CAMILLA GEORGE. An ex pupil at the prestigious Trinity Laban she has already received rave reviews from her time with "Tomorrows Warriors" and Courtney Pine. Now leading her own quartet and one of the fastest rising stars on the UK scene she has just released her first album "Isang".
On stage with her were usual compatriots Sarah Tandy at the piano, Daniel Casimir on bass with newcomer Saleem Rahmen drums. The fare on offer here, before a large crowd on The Arena Stage, was contemporary quartet jazz of the very highest order. The leader composes most of the bands repertoire is a superb improviser, totally free of cliche or repetition even at the highest of tempo's. She has surrounded herself with like minded musicians.
Sarah Tandy has an original percussive piano sound and like the leader is an improvisor of consummate skill. Bass man Daniel Casmir is sure footed with a big sound and no little sense of humour. All this is driven by the highly powerful and creative drumming of Saleem Rahmen. The set time was only forty five minutes for this one, it was something that you wanted to go on and on. Camilla George is someone who perhaps is not quite the finished article, but without doubt has a very bright future ahead.
On stage with her were usual compatriots Sarah Tandy at the piano, Daniel Casimir on bass with newcomer Saleem Rahmen drums. The fare on offer here, before a large crowd on The Arena Stage, was contemporary quartet jazz of the very highest order. The leader composes most of the bands repertoire is a superb improviser, totally free of cliche or repetition even at the highest of tempo's. She has surrounded herself with like minded musicians.
Sarah Tandy has an original percussive piano sound and like the leader is an improvisor of consummate skill. Bass man Daniel Casmir is sure footed with a big sound and no little sense of humour. All this is driven by the highly powerful and creative drumming of Saleem Rahmen. The set time was only forty five minutes for this one, it was something that you wanted to go on and on. Camilla George is someone who perhaps is not quite the finished article, but without doubt has a very bright future ahead.
There seems always to be performances at festivals that rise above the norm' and on the odd occasion one that disappoints . Sadly for me, because I know and appreciate the work of every single player within MICHAEL JANISCH PARADIGM SHIFT, this one for me left me stone cold. The band lined up with a rhythm section of the leader on bass, alongside Leonardo Genovse (I think) from France on keys and Andrew Bain at the drums. Out front were Paul Booth on tenor with Nathaniel Facey alto. The US born leader, now resident in England comes with a well earned reputation for both creative composing and pushing the music forward. I have heard the band on recordings with Jason Palmer on trumpet and this seems to center the complex themes more than the two reed line up at Love Supreme. Heavy Rhodes, ferocious drumming and highly amplified bass seemed to crowd out the saxophone lines of both players both whether in harmony or solo mode. I am sure that this was a one off reaction from me and I will feel differently next time around.
t was soon back to the Verve Lounge which was spilling over for an impromptu four person panel discussing the Future Of Jazz, a massive subject to tackle in thirty minutes if it were not for the inclusion of, for many, one of the great modern heroes of the music, US West Coast tenor man and bandleader Kamasi Washington. You may recall that he promised to "change the face of jazz" with his triple album release "The Epic" which did become the number one jazz album of 2015 according to most polls. Kamasi is a giant of a man, but quiet and modest in conversation showing full respect for other peoples views and answering some rather open ended questions from the young engaging Jazz Standard journalist Tina Edwards. No the future of jazz was not resolved, but many went away having met and in some cases photographed with the great man.
t was soon back to the Verve Lounge which was spilling over for an impromptu four person panel discussing the Future Of Jazz, a massive subject to tackle in thirty minutes if it were not for the inclusion of, for many, one of the great modern heroes of the music, US West Coast tenor man and bandleader Kamasi Washington. You may recall that he promised to "change the face of jazz" with his triple album release "The Epic" which did become the number one jazz album of 2015 according to most polls. Kamasi is a giant of a man, but quiet and modest in conversation showing full respect for other peoples views and answering some rather open ended questions from the young engaging Jazz Standard journalist Tina Edwards. No the future of jazz was not resolved, but many went away having met and in some cases photographed with the great man.
As I did not intend to stay for the evening entertainment on The Main Stage I finally made my way back to the Big Top, and am so glad I did. In session was a magnificent vocalist who I have never encountered before Charenee Wade. The lady is from Brooklyn, obviously influenced by the music of Betty Carter, has a vast vocal range, swings big time, sings modern lyrics, and fronts a superb all American trio . My advice is to follow this artists progress, and make sure you get early tickets for next years Love Supreme. I know I will be doing both.
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
