Music / Jazz
Review: Andy Sheppard’s East Coast, Lantern
That morning Portugal-resident saxophonist Andy Sheppard had been in Oslo where it was minus 5, now here he was in Bristol coming in from the pouring rain. The life of an international jazz star is truly jet set stuff. But even the hottest jazz headliner has roots and Andy’s go back to Bedminster in the 80s where Ian Storrer’s Albert pub was an unlikely haven for jazz talent. This evening was the first of several tributes to Ian’s achievements in a forty year career bringing the best possible jazz names to Bristol and helping establish the city’s reputation as one of the UK’s most significant jazz hubs.
Ian Storrer (pic: Tony Benjamin)
Boy was it a treat. If the band was perhaps hastily put together nonetheless the four players had the chops and the chutzpah to make great things happen – and they did. The absolutely solid rhythm pairing of Dudley Smith’s bass and Nick France drumming were a bedrock for Andy’s tenor and soprano saxophones and John Paricelli’s guitar. Those two jousted and wove together throughout, echoing ideas and layering textures with impeccable empathy.
Andy Sheppard’s East Coast (pic: Tony Benjamin)
In the drum and bass inspired Dancing Man and Woman John underpinned Andy’s fluid soprano with spare sketchiness before gently unfolding the kind of mindful solo that would have figured in an 80s Gong set. The sweet melody of Andy’s ‘cowboy tune’ Sempre con Tigo allowed John a lilting, ruminative solo in the Bill Frisell mould, with the subtle architecture of the piece too alluring to allow for clapping after the solos. The same was true of slow ballad Forever and a Day: strung around a pulsing tom tom beat, Andy’s trade mark breathy tenor sax was nicely balanced by ethereal guitar. In the spacious arrangement you could appreciate his infinite delicacy of touch as he deployed tone and dynamics.
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Andy Sheppard & Dudley Philips (pic: Tony Benjamin)
All in all this was some of the finest jazz heard in Bristol all year, no doubt fired by Andy’s gratitude and respect for Ian Storrer’s support over the years. It was perfectly summed up by a new tune, premiered at the gig and specially written for Ian. It was a good-time New Orleans boogie that allowed for tight grooving and free playing with drummer Nick getting the chance to strut his stuff and scorching solos from Andy and John playing off each other. The tune’s title – The Dog’s Bollocks – was an irreverent tribute to Ian’s unique role in the development of jazz in Bristol over the last 40 years and the exuberant joy of the performance perfectly summed up the celebratory vibe of the evening.
An exhibition of memorabilia from Ian Storrer’s career as music promoter continues in the Beacon’s Kennedy Room and further gigs are planned. Check the Jazzata website for more details.
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