Music / Jazz
The week in Jazz February 20 – 26
Great news for fans of Led Bib (above), the Mercury-bothering jazz quintet that crested the new No-Wave back in 2009 but whose profile had been quietly fading down of late. Last month’s release of Umbrella Weather was reassuring proof the band is very alive and kicking and their appearance at Canteen (Tuesday 21) should be even more convincing. Expect a distinctive blend of no-nonsense hooks and free improvisation.
Delving even deeper into the spontaneous world uber-pianist Kit Downes’ trio The Enemy make uncompromising complex music that especially shows off drummer James Maddren’s seemingly limitless imagination. They come to Bath’s Burdalls Yard venue on Friday (24), stretching the week’s big decision day which also features guitarist Denny Ilett taking time out from finalising this year’s Jazz and Blues Fest (March 16-19) to get down and groovy with Jonny Hammond (keys) and Ian ‘Kasabian’ Matthews (drums) at the Bebop Club. Meanwhile, over at Leftbank, the Feelgood Project’s hip young drummer James Vine launches promising new electro-math jazz trio Waldo’s Gift and, a tad later, the Old Market Assembly showcases total live electronica from Tru Thoughts solo artist Anchorsong.
Earlier in the week you can catch regular visitor Percy Pursglove as one third of classy modernists Perdato (Fringe, Wednesday 22) with former Pushy Doctors Dan Moore (keys) and Tony Orrell (drums). Fringe-goers will know that’s a quality threesome with wit and wisdom aplenty, but for more unpredictable (but equally classy) fare you could opt for the Exchange’s triple bill of electronic explorations featuring FX-drone violinist Agathe Max, maker of ‘crude sonic devices’ Jeph Jerman and New York percussionist Tim Barnes whose collaborative credits range from Sonic Youth to John Zorn.
And finally Thursday (23) offers a pretty straightahead choice when pianist George Cooper’s Jazz Defenders quintet deliver their pretty impeccable Blue Note tribute at Canteen, both reviving great standards and writing new material that captures the vibrancy of the originals. It’s an interesting contrast with the super-smooth contemporary grooves of East London outfit SEN3 whose debut CD The Drop caught a wide range of critical attention and who visit Future Inns on the same night.
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