Live Review: Dave Green & Steve Brown at Smalls
Dave Green, Steve Brown, Mark Edwards, Piers Clark Quartet
Small Jazz Club, Caxton Arms, Brighton
Thursday 29th October 2015
A perfect evening of jazz with everyone’s favourite rhythm section of Dave Green on double bass & Steve Brown on drums and led by Mark Edwards on piano.
Mark Edwards is without doubt one of the finest pianists and innovative musicians in the country and just because he is locally based, we really shouldn’t take him for granted.
Not to be outdone, Piers Clark led the band into a swinging Charlie Shaver’s Undecided.
During the evening, we were treated to a wide range of tunes from Thelonious Monk Ask Me Now, a blues infused Mysterioso and Blue Monk.
Dave & Piers performed a duo on How High the Moon with Steve coming in with a superb brush solo.
Sonny Rollins’ St Thomas was a rollicking affair with a typical West Indian drum solo from Steve.
Interspersed between tunes, Piers talked enthusiastically about early blues guitar playing and demonstrated by playing Blind Blake’s West Coast blues and 1924 Guitar Rag which drew great applause, not least from the rest of the band.
Mark Edwards played a beautiful solo version of Tom Waites’ Johnsburg Illinois.
Sadly, this band goes unrecorded, so you should grab the chance to go to see them live which is always the best way to hear our music !
John Edwards