ALISON RAYNER QUINTET AT HIDDEN ROOMS
Alison Rayner photographed by Mike Harris
What is your idea of. a superb classical Jazzer.? The cool of John Coltrane, the style of Miles, the swing of Wayne Shorter?. All men of course. But women players now cut a swathe of significant distinctive jazz right through the centre of those images. Alison Rayner is one such. Out of the fabulous line-up of creative musicians this season, Alison is a standout star. Her image, slim athletic affable and friendly might be a long chalk from the desperation of New York or Soho stereotypes but she packed melody, rhythm originality and virtuosity into her two all too brief sets.
From the start this quintet enchants. The audience at Hidden Rooms adored them. If you arrived blue, as I did, their very first number. with superb orchestration and heavenly saxophonist Diane McLoughlin simply took it all away - to a lyrical level that worked on the mood like magic..
Mike Harris snaps Diane McLoughlin on amazing range of sax
Alison Rayner holds it all together and composes most of the work. The result is stunningly diverse. Steve Louder on piano excels. At one point I felt his intermezzo was redolent of JS Bach in its drive and delight in rhythmic confidence. Transported to the eighteenth century only to be thrown recklessly into the 21st, Alison’s creativity speaks to the soul more than any composer I have heard lately.
Essentially her ‘tunes’ are about life itself. In memory of a favourite niece takes us with this missing person as she cycles around the countryside. And Brae Boy is another homage this time to a nephew who’d taken on a career in rough Scottish fishing. All life is there. And then you’re suddenly snatched away to some Latin American joyousness with Buster Birch with his ‘unique time signatures’ as his boss described them. Not just drums, this was a range of percussion with perfect precision to propel us all somewhere strange and fabulous. Where does he get that range of snappy sonics?
For a finale Alison took us to Australia. Unbelievably evocative, we were suddenly on a Bush Walk with her, through the Australian wilderness - perfectly sustained with the hugely talented Deirdre cranking up her electric guitar pedal for a brilliant didgeridoo - accompanied by a very convincing set of bird calls, unique to Australia. Much easier than actually going there I can tell you..
There’s yet another album about to be released and I shall be first in line for this inventive jazz - ten years of superb performance at everywhere from Ronnie Scotts to the clubs of Paris. it is clear women in jazz are here to stay and to break the mould in an outpouring of gorgeous work.
Steve Lodder remarkable pianist - Mike Harris again live
Buster Birch on percussion Mike Harris in action.on camera
Deirdre McLoughlin on guitar- a live shot from photographer Mike Harris
