15 May 2011

Nothing like playing

There’s nothing like playing. I missed what must have been an excellent gig the other night (Jonathon Zwartz was in town) but there’s nothing like playing. A few hours of your own gig makes the practice and commitment of time and energy worthwhile. Gossips played in another formation last night. This was instrumental, Real Book, Shorter-ly. Richard loves his Wayne Shorter but there’s not so much opportunity amongst the cabaret standards, but a night without a singer offered the real chance. We played more Joe Henderson than Shorter, but the simple modern forms with non-tonal harmonies were there. Also unusual (for us) was a house-style jam (slowish, bass on 1-2, snare on 3, one chord) that developed as a Bitches Brew-era jazz rock. And we even fitted in a few songs when an old mate, Caroline Faucher dropped in. Great night; nice, lively cocktail audience; too bad about missing Jonathon. Thanks to Callum who helped out, and Caroline who sat in for a few songs.

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