Another visit to Jaz Fleece and another overnight stay; this musician was new to me but as we are definitely becoming more open to trying a myriad of different approaches at our newly adopted home, we decided to give him a go. As a confirmed R&B aficionado, I am relatively new to the jazz genre so I would entreat (implore, beseech, supplicate, pray etc.) you to treat me very gently. As we quickly discovered with this particular performance, there are clearly a plethora of truly astonishing players journeying these shores performing to remarkably sparse audiences. Although, since Bryan let it be known that he had being visiting Jazz Fleece since its time in Boxford, clearly it didn’t unduly dishearten him or the “band”.
The band in this case is the “Instrumental Groove Unit” – consisting of Paul Deats on Fender Rhodes, Wayne Matthews on Bass and Luke Harris on Jones, they are of course corralled by Bryan Corbett on trumpet and flugelhorn. Focusing on the more improvisational side of jazz, it has, according to its architect, been a long time in the making. Compositionally driven by Corbett’s own writing, we both enjoyed the balance between individual creativity and the inherent melody of the tunes, and as the band leader openly stated, they often disappeared into a kind of creative freedom from which they were never sure they would escape – I’m guessing that was part of the joy for what after all are consummate musicians.
Bryan is a quiet but engaging front man, whose dry, laconic style was much appreciated by the audience, although as he often appeared unsure on the exact title of his own compositions, it was often difficult for this naïve newcomer to pick them up as well. Having said that, the first number was called, undramatically ‘The IGU Intro’ and ‘Rubicon’ was also namechecked – the latter seemed to be richer in terms of colour and texture with Corbett, Deats and Matthews all making highly effective use of an array of electronic devices. Although rooted in rhythm the music made effective use of contrasting moods, colours and textures, with shifting dynamics a more or less constant feature. Groove (the clue is very much part of the band name) was also very much a characteristic of both this tune and the evening in general.
Might be be uncharitable of me to say that the length of the pieces and some of the noodling was a little ‘beyond my ken’ (Mrs. No Name, on the other hand, loved it and is fast becoming the hep cat of the household) but overall another excellent evening of live music coupled with another pleasant hotel overnighter. As Bryan himself has been quoted as saying, it’s “A chance to play some original tunes and ideas coming to it from a slightly different angle than I normally would“.
As usual, especially at this time of year, a quick but pleasant experience and a return home without sparing the oft mentioned horses! And on this occasion, I can safely announce that this particular musing does not and will not find its way in the R&B Primer’s own review section…🎺