Mick Foster Quintet w/Jonny Ford
(The Jazz Centre UK. Beecroft Gallery, Southend. 24 February 2024. Evaluate by Richard Lee)

Popping into my native, so to talk…

Like so many seaside cities, Southend-on-Sea is sporting the malaise of over a decade’s austerity and *cough* sure political selections, its Excessive Road sprouting vape and cellphone outlets whereas massive names soldier on forlornly among the many bleak and empty shopfronts. A kind of was given a brand new lease of life just lately as The Ironworks, an arts centre, small-gig venue  & group hub, which is about to shut due to funding hurdles. Given the optimism that got here with recently-conferred Metropolis standing, this sits uneasily. Nevertheless, there’s a little bit flutter of excellent information on the jazz entrance.  The Jazz Centre UK has managed to safe its base on the city’s Beecroft Gallery with a 15 year-lease and continues its weekly Saturday afternoon gig programme (programme hyperlink under). So after sadly packing my tenor at our ultimate Ironworks gig, I nipped up the Excessive Road to catch the Mick Foster Quintet with Jonny Ford. 

This was in affiliation with Susan Could and her Spike’s Place programme, a completely mainstream set from acclaimed baritone participant Mick Foster, who’s additionally a much-respected instructor within the space. His love of Gerry Mulligan was to the fore, utilizing numerous his basic preparations (Jersey Bounce and All The Issues You Are), the trumpet elements being taken by the remarkably fluid tenor of Jonny Ford who excelled himself on Physique and Soul, the place that sound we heard was Coleman Hawkins’ ghost, smiling appreciatively. Merely stunning, mature taking part in with a commanding, ringing tone.

No surprises in a set-list aimed squarely at a longtime viewers, although Bronisław Kaper ’s Invitation and Mick’s personal composition, The Grasshopper drew a lot approbation.  Some fantastically lyrical guitar solos got here from the masterful Dominic Ashworth (enjoyably so on Tenor Insanity, giving the horns a run for his or her cash) and stalwart underpinning from Tom Farmer’s bass and Tristan Mailliot’s equipment. Mick’s baritone has the mild big high quality in tone and assault, one thing that extends to his affable contact with the viewers: a tremendous participant, arranger and host.

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Nothing to put in writing dwelling about?  Quite the opposite, all the things to put in writing dwelling about.  So, whereas we’re right here, let’s have a type of affable rounds of applause for Southend’s newest solos…

Stalwart programmer, modern jazz historian and drummer Trevor Taylor (who’s showing on the Jazz Centre 9 March) continues to mount his nice Jazz 825 programme on the Royal Resort on Wednesday nights; and the Southend Jazz Co-op is about to rejoice its thirtieth anniversary of weekly workshops and occasional gigs, albeit at Hadleigh Outdated Hearth Station, a number of miles out of Southend Excessive Road. It’s led by one other of the world’s glorious jazz academics, John Seeley (and, full declaration: I don my L-plate there each Saturday to try to familiarize yourself with 2-5-1s…)  As I proofread this, I hear that BBC Radio 3 is revamping its schedules to incorporate a weekday nightly hour of jazz, fronted by Soweto Kinch, and produced by Southend-based Karen Pearson of Folded Wing.  

All that mentioned, the Metropolis of Southend finds itself unable to help initiatives resembling The Ironworks and like so many native authorities, is having to make disagreeable decisions about its funding in tradition. What a pity. Grateful the Jazz Centre is right here, however not on the expense of the Ironworks. It shouldn’t be both/or. However whereas all this goes on, Southend – or certainly the world – is a greater place as a result of individuals like Mick Foster reside right here.

SET LIST

Fascinatin’ Rhythm – Gershwin
Jersey Bounce – Wright-Plater-Bradshaw-Johnson arr. Mulligan
Invitation – Bronisław Kaper
All The Issues You Are – Kern arr. Mulligan
Moonlight in Vermont – Blackburn-Suessdorf 
Tenor Insanity – Rollins
What Is This Factor Referred to as Love – Porter
Recado Bossa Nova – Ferreira
Physique and Soul – Inexperienced
The Grasshopper – Foster

LINKS: The Jazz Centre UK web site / future occasions
Jazz 825 Programme
John Seeley – musician/instructor