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Review: Andy Hague’s Big 60 Big Band, the Lantern – ‘What fun it was!’
There are two principal reasons why Bristol is acknowledged as one of the hubs of UK jazz.
Firstly there’s the disproportionate numbers of seriously talented players that have either grown up here or gravitated towards Bristol’s musical community.
Secondly, there are hard-working promoters that both support them and ensure a regular flow of national and international talent through the city’s jazz sessions.
This event celebrated both of those vital factors.
16 of the city’s top jazzers got together to celebrate
The Andy Hague Big 60 Big Band is an impromptu 16-strong gathering of some of the top jazz names from hereabouts, familiar faces all to regulars of the weekly Bebop Club that Andy has resiliently curated for over 35 of the 40 years he has lived in Bristol.
The gig at the Lantern also marked two years since Ian Storrer established his monthly Jazzata residency there, the latest stage in a 40-year promotion career that began with the legendary Albert Inn jazz nights.
With Andy’s 60th birthday year drawing to a close the best way to mark all those anniversaries was obviously a hootenanny evening drawing music from Andy’s prodigious back catalogue of big-band compositions and arrangements.
Nick Malcolm takes his solo
And what fun it was, from the first blasts of Andy’s Retrovirus, a lushly orchestrated number embellished by impressive solos: firstly from Nick Malcolm’s trumpet – typically off-beat and interestingly fractured – then Kevin Figes’ baritone sax – fulsome and nimble – and Riaan Voslooo’s bass – punchy, resonant and fluid.
Hidden from sight behind the grand piano, drummer Mark Whitlam’s contribution was typically smart and uplifting.
This was modern big band stuff that eschewed the smoothness of the swing era in favour of post-bop grooves. As the evening unfolded the set list ranged through the slinky jump jive of Walk the Walk to the upbeat New Orleans boogie of Uncle Fester via Courtney Pine’s more funky Underground and Andy’s swooning ballad FKA Know It? I Wrote It! ( a reference to a famously truly awful joke).
Pianist Jim Blomfield got a good go while Riaan Vosloo shone on double bass
Pianist Jim Blomfield, one of Andy’s long-time collaborators, was well showcased – firstly with McCoy Tyner’s Walk Spirit, Talk Spirit, his solo following Keith Morgan’s sprightly bop on alto sax and Nick Attwood’s gravelly trombone.
Jim’s elegant start became increasingly intense, leading up to the kind of big-handed chords Mr Tyner would have approved. He was even better served by the classic Tequila, the piano, bass and drums heading straight into a proper Cuban groove while trumpeters Mike Daniels and Jonny Bruce traded chops with increasing fervour.
Ruth Hammond’s clever tenor solo had the laconic coolness of Ben Webster, playing with the rhythm and melody, and then it was time for Jim to show what we all know here in Bristol – that he is probably one of the finest Latin-style pianists in the country, somehow managing to avoid the obvious clichés yet always sounding right – and amazing.
Ben Waghorn came straight from a double stint in the pit at Jack in the Beanstalk
Special mention must also go to Ben Waghorn, tipping up for the gig after a double-shift in the panto band at the Hippodrome and still managing to rustle up a scorching tenor solo, full of style and invention, for Manic Molluscs.
That was one of Andy’s tunes which resolved into a fulsome flugelhorn solo from the man himself whose trumpet also shone on his Afro-Cuban tune For Kenny Dorham, dedicated to the great (and under-valued) Blue Note horn man.
Those were rare moments of limelight for Andy, however, who ensured that everybody else got a solo opportunity while he was visibly enjoying hearing his music brought to life by such a quality line-up.
Trumpets were not in short supply: Andy Hague, Mike Daniels and Jonny Bruce
As Ian Storrer observed on the night, it is always a pleasure to hear a fine big band but it’s a luxury item that can rarely be sustained for touring.
It was a tribute to the contribution Andy Hague has made to the Bristol jazz community that so many great players helped make this happen, and a tribute to his skills as writer and arranger that the musical results were so enjoyable.
All images: Tony Benjamin
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