Morning tea

It was about that time. It's an odd time for a jazz gig but this U3A Jazz Appreciation Society invites performers occasionally at this time. Irrespective of time, Brendan and mates were stunning. They had played the night before for Geoff Page. They were missing their sax so just performing as a piano trio, but regardless, this was breathtaking. partly because we were up close and there was chatter with the music. Partly because the room sounded so clear so inviting the quietest playing along with some letting go. Brendan said he might have played acoustic, but goes electric with any other amplified instrument and the piano was electric. It was relaxed although probably somewhat prepared from the gig the night before, but even so this was casual. One tune, Stardust, was requested and they played that without needing charts. Otherwise they were standards and jazz tunes - Straight no chaser, Invitation, Body & soul, Anthropology. One was a bass feature with Brendan playing melody, There's no you, in homage to NYC big toned gut bassist, Dennis Irwin, who Brendan used to hear weekly when in town. There was informed chatter about how they go about the art. One intro, indicative of the nature of this improvised art, had me amused. Brendan was introducing Invitation to be played with an AfroCuban rhythm but it was obviously left pretty open: "we'll probably swing in the bridge ... maybe". Brendan mentioned Aaron's prolific quoting. I caught a few before and after but I'm sure plenty slid by. He did a great job of using them as thematic ideas for development. Tim played quietly and just a few times loudish and was notably inventive with techniques. One was snapping at one stick laid over the snare with another but I'd heard that before. I hadn't heard the rolled brush over snare, perhaps brushed with the other hand, or the stick hit on the front kick skin. These are guys playing in friendly environment, early and relaxed. It showed, like in a mutter when Aaron didn't quite manage a tricky line. I like that they were pushing it. That's the best. This was a peak of playing. Immensely satisfying.

Brendan Clarke (bass) led a trio with Aaron Blakey (piano) and Tim Geldens (drums) for a morning gig for the U3A Jazz Appreciation Group.