COURTNEY PINE & ZOE RAHMAN
Nottingham Arts Theatre - 26th November 2015
Nottingham Arts Theatre - 26th November 2015
Photograph by Roger Thomas
Pine and Rahman played a fantastic gig before a packed crowd at the Nottingham arts theatre.If sometimes the East Midlands can seem to lack a real passion for jazz this was not in evidence tonight.
Mostly playing material from their 2015 album ‘Ballad Book’ it was interesting how the sound translated live. If the part of the charm of the album was in its relative simplicity then with Pine’s passion for improvisation a more challenging musical experience greeted the crowd. In the first half a number of tunes including ‘Come Sunday’ and much to the delight of the audience ‘Windmills of Your Mind’ were featured.
The second half was no less spectacular including the stand out ‘Amazing Grace’, ‘A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square’ and the only tune on the album that is not a cover ‘B Intro’. For the encore Pine gracefully informed the audience that as Rahman had recently given birth they would finish with ‘A Child is Born’. It was not so much that the music was breaking new ground given that Pine continues his exploration of the bass clarinet which has featured heavily in more recent recordings. Instead the gig was more of a celebration of two people who are cherished by all those who love British jazz. Both have an understated modesty live which is both very appealing and simply allows their talent to shine through.
After the music was over Pine gave a short interview in front to of the audience. Notably everyone stayed in their seat to hear Pines stories about the importance of his native London for introducing him to jazz as well as other sounds from across the globe. If you were looking for a celebration of multicultural Britishness in these often intolerant times they you need look no further. Rahman and Pine are not only masters of their craft they are also great entertainment.
Reviewed by Nick Stevenson
Mostly playing material from their 2015 album ‘Ballad Book’ it was interesting how the sound translated live. If the part of the charm of the album was in its relative simplicity then with Pine’s passion for improvisation a more challenging musical experience greeted the crowd. In the first half a number of tunes including ‘Come Sunday’ and much to the delight of the audience ‘Windmills of Your Mind’ were featured.
The second half was no less spectacular including the stand out ‘Amazing Grace’, ‘A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square’ and the only tune on the album that is not a cover ‘B Intro’. For the encore Pine gracefully informed the audience that as Rahman had recently given birth they would finish with ‘A Child is Born’. It was not so much that the music was breaking new ground given that Pine continues his exploration of the bass clarinet which has featured heavily in more recent recordings. Instead the gig was more of a celebration of two people who are cherished by all those who love British jazz. Both have an understated modesty live which is both very appealing and simply allows their talent to shine through.
After the music was over Pine gave a short interview in front to of the audience. Notably everyone stayed in their seat to hear Pines stories about the importance of his native London for introducing him to jazz as well as other sounds from across the globe. If you were looking for a celebration of multicultural Britishness in these often intolerant times they you need look no further. Rahman and Pine are not only masters of their craft they are also great entertainment.
Reviewed by Nick Stevenson
