1 June 2018

Live Review: The Great Escape Festival, Brighton

The Great Escape Festival: Ashley Henry Trio, Yussef Dayes, Sons of Kemet

Patterns, Brighton

Saturday 19th May, 2018

 

        There hasn’t been much jazz at The Great Escape Festival, Brighton’s festival of new music but this year three acts came along at once in a triple bill showcasing some of Britain’s best jazz talent.

    Pianist Ashley Henry performed some new material from his highly-anticipated forthcoming album. The highlight of his set came when he was joined by formidable vocalist Cherise Adams-Burnett for the infectious groove Pressure, creating melodic twists and turns with dynamic contrast.                Drummer Yussef Dayes displayed an astonishing array of technical mastery, playing complex drum patterns, from fast grooves to chilled, relaxing beats, accompanied by guitarist Mansur Brown and virtuoso keyboardist Charlie Stacey, who conjured up numerous timbres from a set of keyboards.

    Sons of Kemet feature two incredible drummers, Eddie Hick and Tom Skinner, who complement each other and respond to each other’s playing. The band also features one of the finest saxophonists in the UK, Shabaka Hutchings who constantly creates and develops interesting melodic lines. But it was tuba player Theon Cross who impressed the most with his virtuosity and mesmerising bass lines, performing tunes from their excellent new album Your Queen Is A Reptile.

 

Charlie Anderson

 

Ashley Henry Trio: Ashley Henry, keyboard; Ferg Ireland, double bass; Dexter Hercules, drums; guest vocalist Cherise Adams-Burnett.

Yussef Dayes: Charlie Stacey, keyboards; Mansur Brown, guitar; Yussef Dayes, drums.

Sons of Kemet: Shabaka Hutchings, saxophone; Theon Cross, tuba; Tom Skinner & Eddie Hick, drums.

SHARE:
Live Review, Review 0 Replies to “Live Review: The Great Escape Festival, Brighton”