Gareth and the Demographix

Miro joked about the demographics when he introduced the tune, Old folks, at the Gods. There was a knowing chuckle that passed around the room as most people recognised themselves. Excepting Gareth. Bob made a few mentions of Gareth. This is bassist Gareth Hill, ex-Music School and CSO and now a successful player in the Melbourne scene. He was playing with Bob Sedergreen and Ted Vining in TV's trio and I've heard him with these players before. These are seniors of the artform but strong contenders still in the modern-mainstream scene. Gareth's long hair may contrast with some thinning in band and audience, but he joins in with verve and skills and some wonderfully busy and expressive solos. Bob, too. I call this mainstream because it's less dissonant, the tunes tend to American songbook more than jazz tunes (although they appear too) and there's a real melodic nature it all. Bob's a master of playing with these tunes, chordally but especially with his wonderful playfulness of twists and discoveries and quotes and even tones. One solo was scat pure and simple, from keys: never seen that before. No shortage of smiles. The music is a platform and he's diving with twists and turns but always with relevance if with wiggled paths. Great stuff. Ted lays down beats, divides the time. He soloed increasingly regularly into the second set, with cymbals and colour or toms and rhythm. The first set was the trio for Naima, Waltz for Debby, Secret love (bass laying down the A-section melody), a traddie, some originals and others. Then Miro sat in for the second set for Stella, Milestones (really nicely done and interesting, perhaps laying a query against my mainstream description), Old folks, Alone together, Footprints and a final blues. This was not all out and floating, but deeply capable and experienced. Mainstream as you like to hear it.

Ted Vining (drums) led a trio with Bob Sedergreen (piano) and Gareth Hill (bass) at the Gods. Miroslav Bukovsky (trumpet) sat in for the second set.