DAVID GORDON TRIO AT HIDDEN ROOMS
Magical fingers of David Gordon captured for the Cambridge Critique by Trevor Lee last night
What an evening of jazz joy. The David Gordon Trio Hidden Rooms last night had its savvy audience in thrall. Magically, an entire half hour swung past without a break. It was a rare form of enchantment. The Trio moved from a minimalist opener with a meditative mood redolent of Sati or Bach, into full-on swing expertise for classics now morphed into standards. Not that this Trio appears to care about categories. Nor are they limited to any special genre. Beguiled by this cool beginning, it was welcome to hear re -appraisals of familiar melodies.
Concentrated energy of Tom Hooper - caught by photographer Trevor Lee
The trio ais wonderfully open to all styles and none. As if to narrow the options, the Key of C defined the evening, every piece was firmly anchored in it. Not that half the audience would notice, the variety, the scope the wide-ranging ambition of all three players was so stimulating, a sea of choice seemed to dominate. Oli Hayhurst on Bass was inspirational and a huge hit with the audience, whilst Tom Hooper on drums seemed to seep mysteriously into the music – and then completely take over to fabulous effect.
Live portraiture of Oli Hayhurst from photographer Trevor Lee for The Cambridge Critique
The jazz gods smiled on me in my haphazardly chosen super-seat. I had a full view of David Gordon’s beautiful long piano fingers, engaged in Olympic- standard motion. It was inspirational – and evenly repetitive. As David Freeman of Jazz FM remarked cannily on this pianist’s technique
” David Gordon doesn’t play many notes, but the notes that he does play are almost the selection of a genius’
A second half hour included snatches of Be-bop and for me fabulously full on lyrical Latin pieces- from Brazil and Argentina. Strange how South American jazz is quietly ignored on the British and American scene- but to overlook this brilliant trope is to miiss out They have masses to give to jazz and David Gordon’s Trio appear to lead the re-discovery.
Sax legend Kevin Flanagan - by Trevor Lee for last night’s Hidden Rooms David Gordon Trio set
The first half closed with pent up rapturous applause. But possibly if there was one element needed by this time, it was soon put right. In the second half the choice of American sax magician Kevin Flanagan. was scheduled to add that streak of gutsy night club feel to the evening. Great decision. Wonderful Evening. Brilliant musicians.
Cambridge Modern Jazz’s publicity gaffer ‘ David Gower said it all, “This music is a full tour around the entire jazz landscape’’
