IAIN BALLAMY'S QUARTET: ANORAK
11th July 2006 7.30pm Rook Lane Chapel Code: 1111 Author: Jim White
A small but appreciative and enthusiastic audience at the Anorak concert was treated to some of the finest jazz I have heard for years.
Ballamy wittingly introduced original compositions and re-writes of jazz standards, “Green Blue” for example, and in the first half a beautiful ballad version in 6/4 time of “Scarborough Fair”.
Iain Ballamy's tenor and soprano saxophone playing is a delight. Modern, gritty and soaring at times but never hard or discordant – the ear being the last court of judgement. His faultless technique and tone shall be the benchmark for a host of younger players.
We are extremely fortunate to have a jazz musician of this high calibre living in Frome. This applies also to the outstanding pianist in the quartet, Gareth Williams. His fast keyboard runs were like a waterfall in spring. Ballamy's original "Strawberries" was a case in point with a free saxophone and drums intro into a remarkable 4/4 fast swinging piano solo by Gareth – an astounding player.
Swinging lyricism was the order f the day exemplified by the bass player Steve Watts whose beautiful playing and full tone anchored the quartet throughout.
Drummer Martin France, the other half of a superb rhythm section, suggested a pulse rather than ever laying one down as a more conventional player might. During Ballamy's rewrite of “I got rhythm” he endlessly surprised and exhilarated us with his explosive playing – his short solo was beautifully and faultlessly played.
The quartet encored with "Danny Boy" the stated melody leading into a bluesy funky feel – this alone was worth the entrance fee.
The only question remaining is why on earth the venue was not packed with reed and keyboard players from the college and young boogaloo rock drummers seeking a release from their turgid beats in Anorak's lightly freewheeling jazz of today.
Jim White
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