HEXAGONAL AT THE CAMBRIDGE WINE BAR, THE UNIVERSITY CENTRE
Jason Yarde alto and baritone saxophone
Thursday is the new Saturday when it comes to going out. And Cambridge Wine Bar has become the go-to joint for anyone who has ever dreamed of blowing a horn or playing piano. Bands bowl in fresh from London venues or on tour - and in that only-in –jazz relaxed style, casually bring international pizzazz to your end-of-week weary soul. As one audience member remarked of the organizers‘ You just turn up and they’ve done all the work, booked the band and you’re away’
Hexagonal began their set with a blast of winter warmth - sound worthy of any big band. Somehow those extra instruments lend a sharp-edged chutzpah to an ensemble who know what they’re up to - and that is musicianship at its most technically proficient but with a soul centre that acts as a physical lift on a cold February night. Their first number Walk Spirit Talk Spirit is jazz heaven written by McCoy Tyner, the ex- John Coltrane pianist of legend. His harmonic and rhythmic conceptions are all over the Hexagonal sound along with the work of South African legend Bheki Mseleku , the man who heralded a new era of music in a post – Apartheid world and reconnected with global currents to take music beyond the oppressive exile so long the fate of earlier musicians. Alice Coltrane famously gave Bheki the saxophone mouthpiece that John had used during the recording of A Love Supreme – he had felt the South African had the same spiritual dimension as he did.
Ross Stanley last night was brilliant on Piano, and Jason Yarde , Greg Heath and Graeme Flowers all created a brilliant saxophonic wall of sound – when Flowers wasn’t blowing magnificently on his virtuoso trumpet on most numbers. I have heard some spectacular drum solos in my time, but Tristan Banks gave all of them a run for their money with his jaw-dropping spectacular that ranged into the surreal. Then suddenly we were back with the mellow melodious double bass of Simon Thorpe and more lovely piano.
McCoy and Mseleku might be the inspiration, and in a last celebratory harmonic joyous number, composer Jason Yarde blended them together in a surprise of a piece to offer the best of both styles.
Last night was a sell out and unusually the Jazz Club have another gig next week 20th February (usually they’re fortnightly) the Martin Speake International Quartet featuring Ethan Iverson will strike up in the cool low lit low slung vibe of the Graduate Centre Wine Bar. Book at www.cambridgejazz.org or in true jazz style, just turn up on a whim, probably late.
