THE ALEX HITCHCOCK QUARTET AT THE GONVILLE HOTEL
Alex Hitchcock brilliant on tenor saxophone
he Alex Hitchcock quartet is quintessentially cool. Celebrated throughout Europe, feted in Britain they are a super success in the mystical union of jazzers , defiant of national boundaries the players exist on a transcendental level of moody, free almost meditative music.
Alex on tenor sax claims the quartet is a commune and the compositions he plays are all contributed from other members of the band. Michelangelo Scandroglio is one such inspiration ; a super elegant figure, he willows gracefully over his tall double bass instrument. He invented one of the excursions into a semi-surreal state of dreamy jazziness. Lyrical pianist Maria Chiara Argirò created another one, more mellow, more defined , more melodic than the others, but equal in sophistication and sound quality. Myele Manzanza played such brilliant drums they threatened to simply take over the entire production, so mesmerically creative were they. The Alex Hitchcock quartet are like few others.
Tonight’s sell out audience absolutely loved the entire offering. Alex was coming home to Cambridge, but his companions hail from a groovy land of super-jazz where no one looks for a tune especially ,but the overwhelming sound , if you let it ( and that does take some letting go) will envelop you in a jazz heaven.
This was the end of jazz at the Gonville Hotel for the Modern Jazz Club. They leave this ultra-glamorous venue with mixed feelings. Yes, it’s gorgeous to go there and super comfortable with individual plush chairs, a fine bar (with eye wateringly high prices - for simple jazzers ) and some great lighting ( which they use too much of).
But the Modern Jazz Club are on the move. Amazing compere David Gower, who takes all this in his stride in a cool jazz fashion, said farewell to the Gonville in muted tones “We’ll be sad to leave here in some ways” he began diplomatically, and he welcomed the move to the new Hidden Rooms destination in Jesus Lane (under the old Pizza Express). A real live visiting American horn player had described it “Just like a New York jazz bar”. That’s enough for David and his team at the Modern Jazz Club. For them it’s all about the music, the vibe, the fun, the bop. So chandeliers left behind, their next gig will be in their Spiritual Home, down some dusty stairs to a real live jazz cellar.
I for one cannot wait.
