Jazznights with Derek Nash at High Barn, Gt Bardfield Wednesday 24th February 2010

A superb evening at High Barn Great Bardfield in Essex with the Roger Odell Trio and vocalist Larraine Odell with special guest Derek Nash.

Firstly, one must comment about the venue and the incredible acoustics. This 800 year old barn is one of the finest recording spaces in the world. The oak beams and cathedral like vaulted ceiling create a unique recording environment, visually and acoustically unparalleled. The extensive theatre lighting rig ensures the barn can be atmospherically lit to suit an artist’s preference. The main barn is wired to a control room and two isolated recording rooms. Rooms can be hired independently or you can rent the entire barn & studio including chill out room.

The evening opened with the Jazznights Trio – with of course the well known Shakatak drummer Roger Odell on drums,Carl Hudson on a grand piano (no need for keyboards here) Bernie Hodgkins on double bass, vocals were provided by the resident songbird Larraine Odell.

The set started with Lets Fall In Love followed by a lovely and moving I’ll Close My Eyes from the film the Bridges Of Madison County. This was followed by Love For Sale and a great rendition of It never Entered My Mind, a show tune from the 1940 Rodgers & Hart musical Higher and Higher. This set finished with Get Out Of Town the Cole Porter Peggy Lee song.

Derek Nash was introduced as the very Jazznights special guest. Derek is a vibrant and charismatic performer on all 4 sax’s from Soprano to Baritone, and is equally at home leading the award winning Jazz ensemble Sax Appeal to Funky Heights, or swinging his way to best CD of the year 2000 with Spike Robinson or leading soloist with the Jools Holland R & B Orchestra

.

View Full Album

 

A great opener from Derek on tenor with the Hank Mobley’s Soul Station followed by a contrasting Farmer’s Trust on his soprano (which is turned up like a baby alto) by Pat Metheny which has some very romantic and touching melodies. A contrasting Gerry Mulligan’s Five Brothers on of course his baritone sax and Carl Hudson on the grand piano paying the fifth brother part as featured originally by Chet Baker. Hard Times followed by Ray Charles.

A very pretty It’s A Most Desirable Residence composed by both Pat and Derek Nash. Next was a very different Mambo Inn written in 1952 by Mario Bauza, Bobby Woodlen, and Grace Sampson which featured a very busy Roger Odell on drums with the snares off. Derek’s own composition New York Walk followed by a very interesting combination of the Doobie Brothers Little Darling as featured by Count Basie and Neil Hefti’s Cute.

Polka Dots And Moonbeams by Jimmy Van Heusen was played in B- flat as it suited the rich sound of Derek’s baritone sax. The big finish was very apt with the Duke’s The Duke Is Jumping on tenor sax.

The tunes Soul Station, Farmer’s Trust, Polka Dots And Moonbeams, Little Darlin’ and Five Brothers are all featured on Derek Nash’s new album “Snapshot”

For further details of other Jazznights go to www.jazz-nights.com

Lee Gibson at Jazznights 21st February 2010

The wonderful swinging Lee Gibson was the special guest at Jazznights hosted at the Bell Hotel, Clare, Suffolk. The resident Roger Odell trio was backing Lee and consisted of Roger (in his bebop hat) on drums , Simon Brown on Keys and Bernie Hodgkins on double bass. The first set opened with the resident songbird Larraine Odell followed by Lee Gibson

View Full Album

 

After the highlight of the night – the Jazznights raffle was presented by Donald Muir and Steve Laws with prizes of two CD’s: Ella Fitzgerald and a Jazz Essex album as well as a bottle of red wine. The regular sitting in spot included vocals by Karen Davies, a great Summertime on Harmonica by Geoff Harriman as well as Steve Laws on soprano sax playing Kenny Dorham’s Blue Bossa.

Lee Gibson returned with the final set sing way past the official closing time but of course there were no complaints. Great versions of Herb Ellis’s Detour Ahead, Michael King’s That’s When I Miss You The Most and Ella’s That Old Black Magic

A few quotes:

‘She is, without doubt, the best jazz singer this country has produced in the last 40 years.’ Digby Fairweather

‘She is that rarity, a swinging singer who has also reached the highest standards of musicianship…. an immaculate set. ‘TIME OUT – LONDON’ 

‘The star of the currently excellent London jazz singing scene.’ Bruce Crowther ‘JAZZ JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL’
‘One of the treasures of British jazz, Lee Gibson gave a performance that was as enjoyable as it was musically immaculate. Lee quickly captured the audience’s attention with a combination of creative flair, an innate sense of swing, a highly effective microphone technique and a winning stage presence.’ Chris Lee ‘MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS’
‘As far as I am concerned there can never be too much Lee Gibson…whether she is singing with the BBC Big Band or Holland’s vast Metropole Orchestra, or with a simple jazz trio, she lights up any song with her musicality.’ Dave Gelly ‘THE OBSERVER’

Have another great night at Jazznights

Warm up at The Bell, Market Hill, Clare CO10 8NN with the swinging vocalist Lee Gibson and the Roger Odell Trio. A Sitting-in spot open to all as usual. Music 8-10.30pm. £7/£4 students. If required, food can be ordered at the bar and served at your table.

For further details go to www.jazz-nights.com