HENRY SPENCER QUARTET AT HIDDEN ROOMS

Henry Spencer about to conquer the jazz world -Photography by Mike Harrison the scene at Hidden Rooms for The Cambridge Critique

Henry Spencer arrives in Cambridge trailing clouds of glory as he comes. His new album The Defector is remarkable -they played  the signature tune- it’s fabulous). It already attracts the kind of praise normally reserved for the Greats of Jazz . Every jazzier from Miles to Wayne to Herbie would embrace the kind of reception Henry Spencer hs enjoyed since he began working with GRAMMY winner Dave Darlington in New York.

Spencer is one of the great talents of the British jazz scene” oozes InMusic ‘’  they  wrap up the rapturous recommendation with an order to “ Listen to Spencer’s genius.’ `Well tonight at the atmospheric Hidden Rooms we did just that.

It was brilliant music. Not simply from Henry’s trumpet (and in the second half flugelhorn) . The line up of superb musicians made this not just a one-man band, excellent though its leader is. There was Matt Robinson on piano and sometimes bass synth- a player so sublime he could have his own show all evening. Not surprising to hear he’s in high demand internationally like his band leader. Karim Saber played ground-breaking guitar – with not a glance at the music which Henry assured us was ‘very hard’. And a super reliable drummer in Barry Hamilton his rhythm reliable behind the soaring virtuoso of trumpet and flugelhorn,

The show is loud, too much for some, and modern. No doubt about it . Here is a band to watch with a band leader to follow. Anyone there will certainly remember the moment that pilgrimage began.

Matt Robinson - quiet genius

Karim Saber essential inspiration