Benn Clatworthy with the John Donaldson Trio The Verdict, Brighton 22/11/13 This was yet another great evening of modern jazz at The Verdict with some terrific soloing by Sussex-based pianist John Donaldson. Clatworthy’s tenor playing was fiery at times and beautifully melodic during some delicate ballad renditions which had the audience on the edge of […]
Emil Viklický and Julian Nicholas The Plough, Rottingdean 1/11/13 Pianist Emil Viklický has an impressive CV and has been very welcoming in recent years to British jazz musicians in his homeland, the Czech Republic. Displaying a similarly impressive technique, the evening was memorable for the interaction between Emil and Julian. Performing standards […]
Julian Nicholas/Joss Peach/Nigel Thomas/Dave Trigwell The Ancient Mariner, Hove 7/11/13 Another great gig at the increasingly popular Ancient Mariner pub in Hove. Julian Nicholas impressed with his renditions of his favourite jazz standards. Pianist Joss Peach stood out with his incredible technique and responsive playing. Future gigs will feature Imogen Ryall, Geoff […]
Robert Mitchell’s Panacea The Verdict, Brighton 8/11/13 There’s no doubt that Robert Mitchell has phenomenal technique but this evening was also a showcase for his impressive compositional and arranging skills. His originals were funky and soulful, brought to life by the vocals of Deborah Jordan. After a long interval, the second set […]
Geoff Simkins, Imogen Ryall, Terry Seabrook & Alex Eberhard The Snowdrop, Lewes 14/10/13 This unusual combination of musicians (alto sax, voice, organ and drums) performed a collection of well arranged standards with Imogen Ryall also doubling as a second front-line instrument with her scat singing mimicking a trumpet. Saxophonist Geoff Simkins performed a beautiful trio […]
Mark Edwards’ Charity Jazz Roar Up with Cloggz & The Bobby Wellins Quartet The Brunswick, Hove 18/10/13 I’d heard lots of great things about Mark Edwards’ previous Charity Roar Ups, but this was the first time I’d actually been to one. Having seen Cloggz before at The Verdict back in March this year, I knew […]
Jack Kendon Sextet The Verdict, 19/10/13 Saxophonist Will Gardner, playing on the first couple of numbers, left early to go to another gig, leaving it to trombonist Tarik Mecci and trumpeter Jack Kendon to play the lead parts of some classic hard bop arrangements. The musicians in the audience might have noticed the occasional tuning […]
Nigel Price/Terry Seabrook/Nigel Thomas The Ancient Mariner, Hove 24/10/13 Guitarist Nigel Price, a former Brighton resident, has been wowing audiences at Ronnie Scotts and recently returned to perform at The Verdict whilst on tour with Gary Smulyan. And, of course, ‘the other Nigel’, bassist Nigel Thomas, has been doing this gig with previous guests that […]
Preston/Glasgow/Lowe/Lockrane The Verdict, Brighton 25/10/13 The contemporary jazz trio of guitarist David Preston, six-string bassist Kevin Glasgow, and drummer Laurie Lowe embarked on their UK tour with a sensational gig at The Verdict with guest virtuoso flautist Gareth Lockrane. The trio could easily garner comparison with the likes of The Neil Cowley Trio and […]
Julian Argüelles Quartet The Verdict, Brighton Saturday 5th October, 2013 Julian Argüelles began with an explanation that the first set would be older original compositions and the second set would be a brand new suite of compositions, as yet untitled. The first tune, Phaedrus, from the album of the same name, was […]