Doin' the business

Alex asked me had I been there before and were there always so many at this gig. It's not too common to have decent numbers at a jazz gig, doubly so these days, but there were lots. This is the Old Parliament House Cafe and it's a comfy visit to sit in an enclosed garden under mature oaks (?) so good for tourists and locals alike. It's civilised. But this was a lovely warm day and it was a slightly bigger crowd than usual. Lucky band. I know Dan from recordings more than live and I was impressed here too. Lovely firm raspy tone and majestic bluesy conception. Great playing, not forced but strong, nice diatonic lines with just an occasional lapse into dissonance. Melodies that are simply stated but wonderfully present and apt. The grooves were good, too. Alex apologised (jokingly) to me for doing left hand bass lines (me being a bassist; no, it's not the same) but he did it well, as well as the right hand chords and solo lines and the rest. Nice. Kay, too, swung easily or laid down latin grooves with lightness and flexibility. Just standards and quite smooth, but nicely stated and perfect for this outing. Georgia, too; not may favourite but nice. I preferred the bop blues and Green Dolphin Street with the coolest swing and Black Orpheus. I may have been the only one tapping his feet, this not really being a spot for the afficionadoes, but it did swing nicely and the wide-landed public enjoyed it, so a success. Good job done. Dan Bray (tenor) played with Alex Carder (piano) and Kay Chinnery (drums) at the Old Parliament House Cafe.

Playing the Diplomat

It was a night of many concerts in my CJCalendar and I had to give up my ticket to Australian Haydn Ensemble to play, but that's OK. I had a great time. I gigged with Joe Taylor and Alex Carder. I had been expecting to play with Dirk and Graham. Either way; these are all fine musicians. This was a cocktail gig, playing background jazz. Joe blew me out with calm professionalism, lovely melodies and some devastating flourishes. Alex laid out lively and light solos and the swing was easy and strong and he was open to communications and smiles. This was just standards, but with lots of solos, often extended (I don't always take three of four choruses. Remember the joke about how to get people talking: start a bass solo). Two sets. Communications were good and most tunes felt clean and ended neatly. Most tunes. I had a great time. Thanks to Joe and Alex and to Dirk for the initial invitation.

Joe Taylor (tenor), Alex Carder (piano) and Eric Pozza (bass) played at the Diplomat Hotel.

Transit lounge

Jazz-trained players don’t just play jazz. Jazz training is a catch-all for a range of syncopated, modern styles and the forefront of jazz has always been a sponge for influences. Last night, I caught Dub Dub Goose and Los Chavos. DDG is a dub/reggae band, and Los Chavos is a latin outfit. Both play insinuating styles that appeal broadly and get the dancers on the floor, and both are seeded with local jazz training.

Firstly, Dub Dub Goose. I hadn’t heard them since their first gig at Moruya a few years ago. The Goose is now much more developed, more purposeful and confident, and with a CD under its belt. The band has a firm lead from Beth Monzo, who plays guitar and sings out front. I presume she writes a good deal of the quirky, entertaining and (age-)relevant lyrics. The combination of a strident and uncompromising female voice, the vibrant horns and energy and good humour make this a thoroughly entertaining outfit.

I have also written here of Los Chavos, when they played at the launch of the Canberra Musicians Club. They were good then; they are now that much more alive and confident. Latin is perhaps the master beat of the rhythmic universe, so it’s no surprise to see the dancers pop up when they get going. Again, there’s a front line of horns, and inevitable percussion and interestingly a keytar (someone told me this is what this strange over-the-shoulder keyboard is called, as has been used by Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock and a string of boy bands). I expected simple melodic lines, but Alex Carder was playing some interesting chordal fills with bends, so the instrument defied my prejudices. Otherwise, I noticed the commitment and joy that Andy Jauregui sings with, and also drummer Amanda Waite. I was standing beside the stage when I was surprised by her competent introduction: clear and immediate, seeming to come from nowhere, and leading the band into an instant solid groove.

DDG and Los Chavos were playing at the Transit Bar. It’s quite different from most jazz venues, of course. These bars are more beer-spilled, younger places with pool tables, punchy PAs and DJs in the breaks that are louder than the bands. I liked it. I was there with my two sons, but I even came across an old mate from the Blues Club, obviously determined to grow old disgracefully. So should we all.

Dub Dub Goose were Beth Monzo (vocals, guitar), Nick Combe (bari sax), Reuben Lewis (cornet), Valdis Thoman (trombone), Matt Lustri (guitar), Ben Fowler (bass), Matt Sykes (drums). Los Chavos were Andy Jauregui (vocals), Valdis Thomann (trombone, vocals), Corey Booth (trumpet, vocals), Amanda Waite (drums), Simon Milman (bass), Alex Carder (keys), Matt Lustri (guitar).