Music / Jazz
The week in jazz – August 15 – 21
Maybe it’s the Olympics or perhaps it’s the hot weather but this will be another quieter week for jazz-loving Bristolians. Happily, as ever, we’re pretty well served by Team BJ (Bristol Jazz) with The Fringe hosting the mighty John-paul Gard’s Hammond trio (Wednesday 17, pictured above, a few haircuts ago!) with guitarist Matt Hopkins and drummer Toby Perrett. John-Paul has a fantastic grasp of the classic blues-jazz possibilities of the Hammond and has long been famed for his use of the foot-operated bass pedals – something few other keyboard players have ever mastered.
Saxophonist Nicholas Dover (above) brings his Fault Lines quartet to The Canteen on the same night for a set of arranged standards, followed on Thursday night by Sefrial. Sophie Stockham’s adventurous contemporary jazz quintet has evolved a distinct sound, layering melodic ideas between two saxophones and guitar over economic (and effective) drum and bass to make evolving soundscapes. Thursday night at the Grain Barge has the vigorous Milon quartet, led by Dino Christodoulou on tenor sax and also featuring the wayward guitar of Neil Smith – always an asset to any band. Their music is big on improvisation with both modern jazz and Greek popular music providing the inspiration at times.
Finally, versatile vocalist Molly King crops up in two of her many guises at No 1 Harbourside this week, firstly on Friday night (19) with funk and soul outfit The Supers and then again on Sunday (21)when Molly & The Kings will provide the music for an evening of swing dancing. But if that sounds a bit too energetic for you there’s a (comparatively) restful session of guitar-led swing from Denny Ilett & friends at the Alma Tavern.
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