The National Press Club is my go-to on a quiet Friday
evening when I want a short outing with beer and some entertainment. It's local and easy parking and a happy
half-hour to boot, let alone some of the best local players, even if the
playing tends to kept fairly tame in this context. This night Mereki Leten and
Michael Larsen-Collins were playing.
Not a pair I knew but they were described as a "up-and-coming sax
and guitar duo" so all sounded good.
I enjoyed them with capable playing of standards and latins and the
like from their differently keyed iGigbooks on the music stand. Mereki had some flourishes that hinted at
considerable chops and I loved how she played conterpoint to several of Michael's
solos. And Michael's solos and chordal
backings were worthy outings; not surprising from an obviously serious student
of Greg Stott. For some audience involvement,
I requested Alone together and they didn't know it but they did a very decent
read. Then chatting, I realised Mereki
was the female saxist that my band, Tilt, had got in for a gig a few weeks
before when I was out of town (with bassist Barney Briggs). I felt there was due respect all round for that
outing. So, some names I didn't know until
now, but surprisingly close to home.
Mereki Leten (soprano sax, flute) and Michael Larsen-Collins (guitar) played at the National Press Club.
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