DEDICATIONS

DEDICATIONS

The Jeff Wilson Quartet at the Cramphorn Theatre

19.10.12

Dedications – tributes – whatever. The irrepressible Jeffery Wilson evoked the spirit and the genius of jazzmen past in an intoxicating cocktail of classics.

This being jazz, there was nothing predictable about the performances; many of the numbers were arranged for the quartet by piano man Peter Marshall, who also played a mean trumpet and contributed the odd vocal refrain. At the drum kit, none other than Les Cirkel.

The fun began with Lester Leaps In, Lester Young's 1940 standard, and ended with Charlie Parker, the dots for Count Basie being unaccountably mislaid. Along the way, names were dropped, legends recalled. I especially enjoyed the Art Pepper transcription, the double helping of baritone sax [bassist Dave Jenkins playing the second] and the Bill Evans' Waltz for Debby – a gentle piece performed with genuine affection. And a true tribute: Johnny Hodges, Ellington's alto sax, lovingly resurrected in a note-bending, glissando-rich Star Crossed Lovers from Such Sweet Thunder.

An enjoyable ramble through some of the finest moments in jazz, with many giggles and nuggets of wisdom thrown in for good measure. Jazz aficionados, though, might have craved a warmer atmosphere and a more responsive crowd at the Cramphorn cabaret tables.

HERTFORDSHIRE YOUTH JAZZ ENSEMBLE

at the Civic Theatre

25.10.09

That inspirational jazzman Jeffery Wilson brought the Hertfordshire Youth Jazz Ensemble to the Civic last Sunday.

They'd had little more than a day to prepare 60 minutes of superb jazz, including African influences, funk – Critical Mass, with a promising alto sax solo – and a lovely Autumn Leaves from the rhythm section, fronted by Christopher Valentine on trombone.

The main work was the UK première of Wilson's own Young Person's Guide to the Jazz Orchestra. Confidently and engagingly narrated by saxophonist Charlotte Briant, it explored the individual voices in the jazz family, from the kitchen to the tailgate trombone, in a suite interspersed with a star studded roll call of the great and good of this “crude, decadent and syncopated” world. Musically, the most memorable movements were Bubsy Blues for the saxes, the jazz waltz Four Times Three for the trombones, and the gospel inspired Calling for the full band, encouraged by Wilson's vocal, skat-ish, direction.

The young people in HYJE come from all over Hertfordshire, and range in age from 13 to 18; their achievement was impressive – as Jeffery said, they are committed and full of energy. I hope he brings them over the border again …