The piano trio is my favourite form, and bebop my favourite style, so my expectations were high for this gig. My expectations were greatly exceeded. Leader Gaz Hughes’ drumming, Andrzej Baranek’s pianism and Gavin Barras’ bass playing (with lots of lovely bowing) all were superb musicians. As people were leaving, I heard one say “what an amazing bassist!”, another said “that wonderful pianist has a proper left hand”, and a third comment that Gaz “was a drummer to hear again and again”.
The three were tight together from the off, although the intensely listening audience was a bit of a surprise. By the third number, they were visibly having fun. After the gig, Gaz commented on this gig being so good, I guess compared to others on their long tour. They played for us music that they knew well, no music or music stands, but it sounded fresh as a summer sun shower.
I won’t even try to pick out a favourite.
Steve said:
“I am currently revisiting last night’s Bebopalypse here, listening to each of the two Gaz Hughes Trio CDs that I bought during the interval. We were treated to a good mix of original material, covers and standards with each of those immensely talented and soulful musicians playing their hearts out. Hats off to the rhythmically strong and fluid playing of Andrzej Baranek but also to the ever-creative Gaz Hughes using everything at his disposal on the drum kit and the ever-engaging style of Gavin Barras on double bass.
I can’t help thinking that a good few regulars and occasional visitors to the Fleece missed a Bebopportunity last night. The attached setlist will give some idea.”
That gig was a beauty. But we have another much anticipated beauty for you on Wednesday 27 March. It has been too long since we have heard The Jon Lloyd Quartet. We will have Jon on reeds and the superb pianist John Law, with Nick Pini on bass and drummer Alex Goodyear. Don’t miss this one.
Take care,
Dave
THE GAZ HUGHES TRIO: “NUCLEAR BEBOPALYPSE”
SETLIST, FLEECE JAZZ 13/3/24
- Beboptical Illusion (Gaz Hughes)
- AB’s Blues (Andrzej Baranek)
- Beautiful Moons Ago (Oscar Moore / Nat King Cole)
- Satin Doll (Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn)
- Lullaby of Birdland (George Shearing)
- Alice In Wonderland (Sammy Fain)
- Nuclear Bebopalypse (Andrzej Baranek/Gaz Hughes)
* * * * * * *
- I Mean You (Thelonious Monk)
- Disinformation (Gavin Barras)
- Shootin’ from the Hip! (Gaz Hughes)
- Put On A Happy Face (Charles Strouse / Lee Adams)
- White Noise (Gaz Hughes)
- Body and Soul (Johnny Green/Edward Heyman, Robert Sour, Frank Eyton)
- Seven Steps To Heaven (Victor Feldman, Miles Davis)
- Encore: Stompin’ At The Savoy (Edgar Sampson)