Last Saturday I did a trio gig at Ronnie Scott’s. Didn’t really advertise it as I haven’t done anything like that – playing standards in a trio with bass and drums – for a really long time. It’s quite daunting for me to play trio as it feels really exposed and I’m responsible for so much more. But, that’s what makes it more rewarding when it does work.
Anyhow, I really enjoyed the gig. I hadn’t played with Sam Burgess, the bass player, for ages, and he was completely amazing. Playing with him reminded me of what’s good about trio with just guitar, bass and drums: you get a lot of space and freedom to mess around with the harmony; and, as the only pitch information that’s coming at you is from the bass, it means it’s easier to hear and interact with. The great thing about playing with Sam is that he puts a lot of stuff out that’s really interesting and creative in itself, but he also really responds to what you do too, with frightening immediacy.
So, now I’m thinking I’d really like to get a regular trio gig. Somewhere where I could do some playing on standards. I used to do lots of that ages ago but I’ve been doing mostly original music lately. It’d be nice to explore a bit of that for a while.
In my utopian dreamworld It’d be great to have a little weekly trio gig in a coffee house or a bar in West London. Maybe somewhere that’d be a good place for students to come down and jeer or whatever. A little more specifically utopian (if one can have gradations of utopianism) – wooden floors wouldn’t go amiss, and free to get in, near the tube, good food and coffee, jazz-loving owner, beer too… I’ll stop short of a helicopter landing-pad :)
So, maybe you can help me out? If you know of anywhere that could be as cool as this place, let me know! Or better yet, if you’re a regular, why not ask them if they’d be up for some live music. You never know. I’m off to make a big list and get scouring the West Side. There must be somewhere out there…
dont forget to tell me when you next do an unadvertised gig mike so i can get more blood pressure pills in.
keep well
Will do, will do. I replied to your other post on this page but I didn’t have a backup of this so lost it. Next gig is with Gareth Lockrane Big Band at the 606 this Sunday afternoon :)
cheers – not a great fan of big blands mike!
found any churches yet mike? st barnabas apparently being done up and new organ or something.
went to swiss church for organ recital – very nice organ it was too – church was not too big perfect for i n – however the audience appeared to be ‘strictly genteel’ so i cant see the group getting past the ‘ “music” comittee’ !
hope you and family well – are you going to see reeves gabrels at vortex this wednesday?
ethiopia
It’s not like an old-time big band. It’s a fantastic band, amazing writing and Gareth is just ridiculous on flutes. Not going to make it to the Vortex this Wed but would definitely like to see him sometime.
Hey Mike – I’ve been thinking of something similar for a while. As you know, me and Wheato used to do a thing down at the Chatsworth (next to the Redback) I might go down and see of they fancy starting that up again. We could do a little rotation of west-side players :-)
Also, I think JW started to get somewhere with the Common Room, just next to my place, over by Ealing Common tube… I should find out more about this. You had any luck with the great Ealing jazz crusade?
Dave, that would be fantastic. Be so great to do a gig with you. So far, I’ve asked in a few places around Ealing, some interest but haven’t got back to me. I’ll keep trying!
hi mike
reeves made a really great album with loads of overdubs- will give you the details soon. didnt make the rg gig. there was a bass player on the gig called jair-rohm parker wells whom i saw about a year ago – absolutely fantastic! didnt know you could do such things with e bass and pedals.
see you soon hopefully