Ineza: ‘Girls’s Phrases, Sisters’ Tales’
(Pizza Categorical Dean Road. 14 February 2024. Evaluation by Sebastian Scotney)

The primary abiding impression of Rwanda-born, Belgium-raised, UK-resident singer Ineza (Kerschkamp), acting on Valentine’s Day at Pizza Categorical in Dean Road, is sort of how good and the way light her manner with songs might be. There was a very interesting grace and ease with how she approached a music similar to “Good Morning Heartache” within the first half, after which “My One And Solely Thrill” (Melody Gardot) and “Throw It Away” (Abbey Lincoln) within the second.

That gentle centre was what the Valentine’s night time viewers of younger – (ish) {couples} wished and wanted; Ineza had gauged the temper effectively. And but there have been additionally hints of a voice of very completely different character. Extra astringent, extra pressing, possibly much more Kidjo-ishly highly effective and African, to be heard in Jazzmeia Horn’s “Free Your Thoughts”, and that sense of distinction, of vary, ligh and shade, actually inspired me to wish to hear Ineza once more…and shortly. Her encore, Hoagy Carmichael’s “Georgia on My Thoughts” allowed her to present one other fascinating glimpse of energy and unfettered vitality that she will muster, and a unique night time and a unique programme would absolutely carry extra of that aspect of her to the fore.

It was a terrific band too. The jazz-critic-trying to-guess-influences a part of my mind would enterprise to recommend that alto saxophonist Michael Lack has probably listened to numerous Bud Shank. Lack makes a very candy sound on what he instructed me is a classic Buescher instrument. Bassist Flo Moore’s putting and time simply get higher and higher, and Katie Patterson’s drumming and deeply constructive vitality are priceless property to any band.

Pianist/MD/programme deviser Alex Webb has finished a whole lot of sensible work in devising a cultured programme of songs during which nearly your complete programme is by both feminine lyricists or songwriters. And his introductions/ linking bulletins had been all the time participating. It had fully handed me by that Fran Landesman crafted the lyric of her and Tommy Wolf’s 1955 music “Spring can dangle you up probably the most” is a hipster tackle the opening strains of T.S.Eliot’s “The Waste Land”, and may’t assist feeling that my life has been enriched by means of that, and by Ineza’s subtlety and gentleness with the music.

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Ideas of Fran Landesman carry me to a tragic apart…verging on anger: Pizza Categorical music programmer Joseph Paice, who, by means of his deep information of the music and internet of connections, is the residing embodiment of the deep connection and historical past of Pizza Categorical’s affiliation with American jazz, the songbook and all that, has simply inexplicably been made redundant. Evocative music is a vital a part of Peter Boizot’s legacy, so this heartless resolution seems like a subversion of it. This isn’t simply hurtful for Joe, however does gratuitous harm to London’s wider music scene.

BAND

Ineza Kerschkamp (voice)
Alex Webb (piano/MD)
Michael Lack (alto)
Flo Moore (bass)
Katie Patterson (drums)