Trumpeters' melodies glow

I don't know what it is but trumpeters seem to write great melody.  I guess it's a function of the instrument and the fingering and the harmonic sequence that underlies it all.  I walked up to the Orange Con to hear Underwards given that Hillary Geddes was playing with them.  In the end I was stunned by the compostions by leader and trumpeter Ellen Kirkwood, intrigued by the bass lines and effects and hugely impressed by both Hillary and drummer Alex. All odd times and strange, heavily effected, composed bass lines, unexpected divisions and mellifluous distortions against glorious clearly spelled beautiful trumpet melodies.  This was space and dynamics but always with a purpose.  The purpose was nature or indigenous history or more; always with reason and true emotion.  Deeply sensitive, intellectually inquisitive, modern and of today.  I don't like to be too demeaning of traditions (I love them) but I also like honest searching and development and this seemed just that.  Breaking the jazz coma.  Do I need to say I was mightily impressed and deeply affected even as the bass was deeply effected.

Underwards are Ellen Kirkwood (trumpet), Hillary Geddes (guitar), Nick Henderson (bass, synths) and Alex Inman-Hislop (drums).

Duos

These were two duo performances that I caught in just short bursts.  Both were capable and with interest but not so much for me on the day.   Harry James Angus was a significant player in The Cat Empire and they were of great note in their time.  He appeared with drummer Freyja Hooper.  I arrived to a minimalist number on trumpet, LH piano and drums which I found interesting, insistent and somewhat Milesian.  Then to piano, drums, voice with demanding times on drums and otherwise a rocky feel.  I seldom catch vocals so can't speak of the topic other than that Harry told of exhausting his writing on all manner of common themes so then delving into Greek mythology: specifically this one was of Helios, the sun god.  Amusing.  Then off to The Lord Anson pub for a singer-songwriter duo.  They were quiet and thematic and deserved listening to lyrics.  One half was Nick H,  bass in Underwards who spoke of rushing to arrive for this gig.  Very different from the heavily effected and challengingly timed bass in the previous band.  Also a touch apologetic for playing a venue like this, more noisy.  An amusing comment and a capable folkish duo.

Harry James Angus (trumpet, piano, vocals) and Freyja Hooper (drums) performed at Holy Trinity.  Little Clouds performed at Lord Anson and comprised Nick Henderson (vocals, guitar, banjo) and Emily-Rose Sarkova (vocals, piano, accordion).