Two weeks drift by and yet another 50 minute drive (or so) down to the Stoke By Nayland Hotel Golf And Spa Resort for another Jazz At The Fleece gig/concert/event/happening – what you call it rather depends on your history and age range I think. We prefer to think of it as a “Still Kicking but prefer to sit down soiree“. On this occasion it was to see Derek Nash’s Sax Appeal, whose name (Nash) I believe I did vaguely recall from Jools Holland’s Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. Group too large to fit on one picture though – bit rude!
We knew from the pre gig publicity that the band would consist of five saxophone players with a rhythm section of keyboards, bass and drums and we were intrigued to see how it all shaped up in a room that held around one hundred people (full again incidentally). Well, the layout was great with the five saxophonists (Derek Nash, Mick Foster, Matt Wates, Vasilis Xenopoulos, Brandon Allen) front and centre and all miked separately with drums (Mike Bradley) and keyboards (Neil Angilley) right and left and bass Davide Mantovani at the back. Must have been one of the trickier gigs for which to get sound and balance levels set up appropriately so kudos to the guy on the mixing desk (don’t know the name, should really find out!).
Didn’t know what to expect but first impressions were of the speed, agility and power on display – they were appropriately loud (but never overly so) and they played a bit of everything, including funk, jazz/classical fusion, boogie woogie and gospel, with a little straight ahead jazz thrown in for good measure. I won’t trouble the completists with a set list but my favourites of the night were the first movement from “The Flatiron Suite“, the boogie-woogie based ‘Sticky Finger Boogie’, the Latin based ‘Malawi’ and the very danceable ‘New York Walk’. They also played ‘Seville’ ‘Blue For You’, ‘Walkin’ On Air’, which were all from the “Funkerdeen” CD. Which made Funkerdeen and The Flatiron Suite CD my purchases of the night and they haven’t disappointed.
But, to be honest, the whole evening was stonkingly good, and the whole of Sax Appeal should be applauded for playing in such an exemplary fashion and so conspicuously having a great time, something that clearly transmitted itself to the audience. All compounded by another lovely overnight stay and breakfast at the hotel, although we arrived post lunch on this occasion so had to settle for afternoon alcoholic refreshment.
P.S
Dubious as to whether or not to include this musings in the R&B Primer reviews as well, but on balance decided there was enough worthy of merit to include it. If it’s not your bag, you can always just ignore it (like so much of social media he heartily adds) 👋👋🏻