Happy Canada Day, everybody.
We last saw Freddie Gavita playing with Fletch’s Brew, complete with stomp boxes and the joyous Fletch madness. On Friday, Freddie brought just his trumpet, his music and a beautiful golden tone. The band was: Freddie Gavita ~ Trumpet, Tom Cawley ~ Piano, Calum Gourlay ~ Bass, Josh Blackmore ~ Drums.
Freddie’s music is very engaging, It ranges from very slow balladic sonority to double time bebop. The tunes are memorable, even hummable. And of course the musicianship is stunningly good from all four The second set opened with “Alpha”, in which Freddie alternated legato and fast staccato phrases in a wonderful solo. His “Yearning”, played with the Harmon mute, was beautiful in tune and execution. If you missed the gig, buy the CD.
He has an excellent rapport with the audience. His stories on the songs were interesting and informative. It seems to be accepted that the music should stand on its own, and I have some agreement with that. But Freddie didn’t preach, or make extended comments.
I have always loved Tom Cawley’s playing. He seems to become part of the piano while remaining absolutely alert to the other three musicians. His accompaniment is wonderful, and his soloing is memorable, particularly in the ballad “Beloved”.
Calum Gourlay has graced our stage a few times lately, and in my view, the more the better. He has a solid pulse and plays excellent solos, not least in the quirky tune “Pull Your Socks Up”.
Josh Blackmore was not the youngest person in the room. Late in the first set, a young couple (older than Josh) and their 5 month old baby came in. All three loved the performance. Josh’s technique on all of the tools is spectacularly good. He does not bounce about on his throne, but you can see his smile as the ideas flow. I loved his use of just rims in “Turn Around”, and the malllets in the 5/4 “The Bough”.
This was a really fine young band which deserved a bigger audience.
We are now on the twice a month summer schedule. The next gig is Chris Ingham‘s Dudley Moor Show, with Chris on Piano, Paul Higgs on Trumpet, Geoff Gascoyne on bass and George Double on bass.
“A vibrant and moving homage.” – Downbeat
“An intimate and heartfelt pleasure” – London Jazz News
Take care,
Dave