Gaz Hughes Trio
(Pizza Specific Dean Road. 20 February 2024. Assessment by Sebastian Scotney)

I acquired it mistaken. I genuinely thought that there was solely strategy to construct a jazz tour of over 40 dates within the UK, and that was to be Nigel Value.

Might there be anybody else blessed – or probably cursed – with the identical mixture of an unshakable perception within the high quality and communicative energy of this music… plus the stubborn dedication to deal with all of the individuals who both by no means reply .. or deploy the oh-so British “let me get again to you” (and clearly by no means do…) and get common bands out on the street evening after evening to allow them to actually gel correctly…? Certainly not.

However I used to be reckoning with out the indefatigable organisational expertise at ninja degree, the Elvin-ish drumming (and the imposing six foot 4 presence) of Cheshire-based Gaz Hughes. (SEE FEATURE/ INTERVIEW from Feb 2023). The proof is within the poster above: two of his FORTY-FIVE (!) 2024 trio dates are within the Azores, however the remaining are within the British Isles.

This actually is jazz, and maybe individuals whose selections in music are inclined to pushed by a way of chronological superiority – or The Wire – might want to look away. There may be neither genre-busting or fluidity happening right here, moderately the idea that the jazz language between nice musicians acts as a fantastic foundation for musical communication, which might draw an viewers in, by creating magic and making sparks fly within the second. Or as Gaz has stated: “What I wish to get is music that folks can actually relate to.” And from the responses the group have been getting final evening, it really works. The habits of communication get constructed by constantly working collectively on the bandstand. I’m advised this group has been the “backing” trio for, variously, Scott Hamilton, Alan Barnes and Artwork Themen on performances within the North-East, and certainly there will likely be extra.

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The group’s nice pianist is Andrzej Baranek, endlessly creative, and final evening he was having fun with the highly effective low sounds which his left hand may extract from the Pizza Specific’s Steinway. Bassist Gavin Barras is a powerful participant, not least when taking part in arco together with his German bow-hold, and but can flip the amount down as effectively, as he did within the quieter moments of his composition “Disinformation”, a counterfact of “Affirmation”.

The UK scene wants people and bands like this to verify it retains going. It additionally wants the continuance of small venues.. however that’s one other story…

LINK: Gaz Hughes web site.