After a somewhat lengthy absence we finally returned to Stoke By Nayland and home of Jazz Fleece for what we hope will be a series of overnighters and jazz gigs. Unfortunately, these may be a little sporadic, given the serious business that is Mrs. No Names’ excessive and detailed calendar of activities! For example, we are missing “The Wonder Of Stevie” in three weeks time because of one of her conflicting reveries – shock horror!
Dramatic news on the booking front as, because of an Easter break special at the hotel, on this occasion it was cheaper to book the hotel and jazz tickets separately rather than the more usual Jazz Fleece package – important news to Yorkshiremen everywhere.
The Ed Jones Quartet was the featured group / band / ensemble (take your pick) this particular evening and we knew neither the band leader or partners, although we were aware that Ed Jones himself has featured at the Jazz Fleece on at least one previous occasion (and probably more). I should add that the group stresses that it takes no responsibility for the poor quality pics of this occasion…one of them anyway.👎📷. Nota Bene: It’s this one….➡️➡️➡️
For this visit he Jones’ quartet was as follows:-
- Ed Jones (Tenor Sax)
- Ross Stanley (Piano)
- Tim Giles (Drums)
- TBC
Obviously, genuine jazz lovers are more than familiar with all these players and Ed himself has long been lauded as outstanding by knowledgeable media everywhere. Take the Guardian for example…..”A formidable saxophonist. Ed Jones may have hit his highest profile through his work with bands US3 and Incognito, but he’s an improviser to his fingertips, a player of forceful imagination, and one of the UK’s most distinctive saxophonists” (John Fordham The Guardian).
Doesn’t mean too much to the less discerning (like me) but I was intrigued to learn that Jones first came to prominence in the late 1980s as part of the then burgeoning ‘Acid Jazz’ scene. A prolific session musician Jones has worked across a variety of musical genres and is perhaps best known for his lengthy stint with the jazz/funk/soul outfit Incognito. He has also performed with Us3, Jamie Cullum, Terry Callier (a favourite of mine), Bootsy Collins, Tina Turner, Chaka Khan, Carlene Anderson, Noel McCoy and Omar among others.
Anyway, on this occasion the quartet played two sets over the course of the evening, both including a mix of standards and Jones’ own material. For what it’s worth we (well I did) preferred the more lyrical, melodic material of the post interval set, although I wouldn’t want to deny the the power and forceful nature of Jones’ tenor playing. Indeed, all of the players showed off their exemplary prowess throughout but the first set featured more improvisation – a sense they played to their own rhythm but were quite clearly skilful enough to bring it all back together as required. Which is what improvisation is, to be fair.
Anyway, another enjoyable and successful evening, a pleasant breakfast the next morning and then back home without sparing the horses.