Tonight At Noon with Tony Kofi The Brunswick, Hove Monday 5th May, 2014 On the same night that saw Snarky Puppy performing in Brighton, there was a small but appreciative audience to see this enthusiastic group of jazz musicians from Finland. Led by the driving drumming work of André Sumelius, the band drew […]
Basil Hodge Quartet The Verdict, Brighton Friday 9th May, 2014 This was Basil Hodge’s second gig at The Verdict with long-time collaborator Tony Kofi and it will surely be one of many in the future. Basil Hodge’s tribute to one of his favourite pianists, entitled Mode for McCoy, showed both the powerful […]
Straight No Chaser Big Band The Brunswick, Hove Sunday 8th December, 2013 When Louis Armstrong returned to his hometown of New Orleans after becoming a star, he was nervous that people wouldn’t want to see him as he hadn’t been back there for many years. But when he arrived at the train station, […]
The Sussex Jazz Orchestra The Brunswick, Hove 24/11/13 The ubiquitous Mark Bassey has been leading the Sussex Jazz Orchestra since September and his good humoured approach and keen ear have resulted in a great sounding ensemble that embraces the musical history of the ensemble. Mark’s solo trombone playing was featured in two […]
Gareth Williams/Piers Clark/Dave Green/Steve Brown Smalls, Caxton Arms, Brighton Thursday 28th November, 2013 They started the first set with the old classic Rosetta (one which isn’t heard enough these days) and then started the second set with another classic, Avalon, played at a fast swinging tempo. In between were other classics such as Oscar […]
Damon Brown International Quintet The Verdict, Brighton Friday 29th November, 2013 This was an evening of some great modern hard bop playing which kindled memories of the Donald Byrd/Jackie McClean partnership of the late Fifties. And if anyone can imitate the sound of Fifties Jackie McClean it’s certainly French saxophonist Pierrick Pedron. […]
Kit Downes Trio/Pablo Held Trio The Verdict, Brighton Wednesday 4th December, 2013 Everyone likes a bargain, especially during the festive period, and a bargain was certainly to be had at The Verdict, last Wednesday. This was a ‘buy one get one free’ special, with not just one, but two wonderful trios on […]
Sam Miles Quartet The Verdict, Brighton Saturday 30th November, 2013 Young saxophonist Sam Miles grew up in Sussex listening to classic jazz and this permeates the sound that he gets from the tenor saxophone. Having studied at the Royal Academy of Music his playing continues to develop and grow. His soprano saxophone tone […]
Don Weller Quartet The Verdict, Brighton Friday 6th December, 2013 On the evening when jazz fans learnt of the sad news of Stan Tracey’s passing it was fitting for Don Weller to start the set with a Stan Tracey blues. This evening was classic Don Weller, in a jazz club playing standards, […]
Jonny Hepbir/Sara Oschlag Quartet The Verdict, Brighton Saturday 7th December 2013 Launching not just one, but two CDs of music, this was an evening of great gypsy jazz with driving rhythm guitar, soft and delicate vocals and expressive soloing. Celebrating the launch with a glass of Ricard each, the group recreated the […]