JONATHAN GEE JAZZ TRIO AT HIDDEN ROOMS
Photographs by Mike Harris
Where would we be without the joy of jazz? The poet Phillip Larkin avowed he could not endure a jazz-free day. Writer Clive James understood, ‘Phillip did not really like being him. He would have preferred to be Someone else.
He would have liked to be Sidney Bechet.
Or, had he heard him, Jonathan Gee, one of the most versatile players on the scene - amongst us by dint of the clever, varied, booking of Cambridge Modern Jazz in its hip unique venue, Hidden Rooms on Jesus Lane. The choice of this cool creative for a jazz evening is little short of genius. Organiser David Gower is delighted with the new energy ‘The club is fast-becoming a start-up for young musicians. Emma Rawicz was unknown and now is playing her saxophone everywhere- on Radio 3 as one of 25 for 2025 . All remarkable.”
As a pianist Jonathan is the nonpareil He opened with a lyrical Thelonius Monk number. Subtle support came from Mikele Ontolli a glamorous figure on a massive chestnut double base, and Tristan Malliot on sometimes explosive drums.
How fast does brilliant live music change a damp sullen February into a magical spirit lifting session ? Very fast. We heard a superb version of Lennon /McCartney songs, Michele, Here There and Everywhere and Blackbird – the best of the trio. But it was when Jonathan transported the scene back to Miles Davis’s heyday, complete with sung ( lovely voice ) lyrics Bobplicity -and some crazy skat (written by him) we really began to get the full measure of this player.
He openly admires his own band. It is miraculous, he told us, how some song he wrote would transform when they got hold of it, an alchemy he could not explain it was so thoroughly inventive.
The second Half really got into its own fabulous swing. We heard Duke Ellington’s Don’t Get Around Much Any More, a way-out be-bop homage in lyrics perfectly crafted and beautifully played by Jonathan. It is in the bright jazz light of the forties and fifties he clearly feels most at home, the music flows. There were some quirky, numbers Tom Waites ‘‘Chocolate Jesus’ was a blast from the LA of yesteryear
Jonathan’ final address was very much up to date.
“ It is amazing that America who produced the great art form that is jazz, with all its complex energy – should also produce the political leader we have today.”
Phillip Larkin would have had something to say about him, as would fabulous Clive James, and it wouldn’t be good. Turn up the Jazz Button.
Photograph by Mike Harris for The Cambridge Critique
Photograph by Mike Harris forThe Cambridge Critique
