MAISHA

New Generation Jazz,The Verdict, Brighton

Friday 31st March 2017 

    Drummer Jake Long’s MAISHA specialise in post-Coltrane world-influenced music, very much in the spirit of Pharaoh Sanders and this was apparent from the first number, Welcome to a New Welcome.

    The final piece of the first set was introduced by an extended drum solo by bandleader Jake Long which morphed into a playful, danceable groove interspersed with lots of percussion and drum fills.

    The second set began with a simple bass drum motif which was then picked up by other members of the band and developed into an extended improvisation by saxophonist James Mollison, filling in for Nubya Garcia.

    The consistently excellent Shirley Tetteh on guitar added energy and impressed with her intelligent, thoughtful solos that embraced multiple sound worlds.

    The unassuming bandleader and drummer held the hypnotic grooves together on a night full of excellent interplay and musicianship.

    The encore, Africa, is featured on their latest EP out on the Jazz Re:freshed label and with an album due later this year, MAISHA are one to watch.

James Mollison, tenor sax; Shirley Tetteh, guitar; Amane Suganami, piano; Twm Dylan, double bass; Jake Long, drum kit;  Tim Doyle, percussion.

Review by Charlie Anderson

Photo by Lisa Wormsley