Sep 19
I wrote last night about the sense of camaraderie we've encountered at the Scarborough Jazz Festival and how it reinforced my feeling that music is not just about commerce and protectionism and big business but also about culture and identity, about how individuals and groups make sense of each other and collaborate to create new partnership and music.
This has again been evidenced today at the festival. There has been a workshop event this morning which encompassed two local youth jazz orchestras getting some tuition from Mike Janisch and members of his band. I watched as the musicians really got involved with the orchestra, continually stopping them, pointing out where they were doing things right or wrong or where they need more place more emphasis on a particular piece of the music. I watched as they got literally right into the musicians, making their way to the back of the orchestra to provide some one to one tuition.
And here's the rub, they didn't have to do this. The Mike Janisch Quartet understand the how inspiring it can be for younger musicians to learn from established players, how it is vital to share knowledge, to encourage and cajole, to praise and ensure that music is shared amongst us. That music is culture, and it belongs to all of us.
Sep 18
All images © William Ellis 2009
Sep 18
All images © William Ellis 2009
Sep 18
The quintet’s final piece was dedicated to fellow bass-player, and clear influence, Charles Mingus. It was a brilliant choice for the closing number, featuring much of the theatrical musicality that characterised Mingus’ own performances and many of his compositions. The five members of the group often took on the scale and stature of the Mingus big band, and Janisch strong rhythmic playing and Booth’s tart sax work were then mellowed by the gentler timbres of Palmer’s trumpet and Hart’s vibes. This was another number that simmered, then rose slowly but inevitably to the boil. Penn is in there stirring, pushing the other ingredients around as the emotional intensity rises through the round robin of solos. Sitting here in the hall you can gaze at the whole band on the stage as the music washes over you, then you can turn to one of the large screens to see a close-up of individual players, and then your focus of attention moves to the individual player. This is music strong in its whole and in its parts. The thunderous climax that had the audience cheering and clapping. A splendid end to a great set.
This show coincided with the launch of their new CD. I haven’t heard it yet, but if it reflects anything of tonight’s performance it will be a joy to hear.
Tim Wall
Sep 18
Mike Janisch continued a theme for Friday night of bands led by bass players. Janisch’s group, though, is a very different band from Eastwood’s. There’s certainly the instrumentation and feel of some of Dave Holland’s work. That, I think, reflects that vibes go so well with a sensitive rhythm section, and in Janisch and Clarence Penn you definitely get that. The vibes player, I should tell you is Jim Hart, and his nimble gently percussive playing was a real pleasure to listen to. There were also consistently imaginative performances from trumpeter Jason Palmer and saxophonist Paul Booth.
This intricate, intelligent music had the audience engrossed, and then enthusiastic in showing their appreciation for the soloists and their delight in each number. This is music of texture and subtle transitions, it builds gently from the quiet and small to wide and expansive, bold and assertive and tightly emotional. I was engrossed throughout.
Janisch really is worth listening to in both solo and supportive roles, he’s dexterous and technical, but always interested in communicating. He takes obvious delight in the reaction of the crowd, and the response tonight would make anyone beam. This is going to be one of the highlights I’ll remember for quite some while.
Tim Wall
