CHRIS INGHAM QUINTET - STEELY jazz AT HIDDEN ROOMS
All fabulous photographs by on-site all-action snapper Michael Harris
Above a demonic George Double who sings and drums
Just when you think you have jazz sussed, along comes a breathtaking band like Chris Ingham’s . Not that there is anything like it. This latest foray features a unique set of songs from one source, an inspiration no one in the mixed mad world of music had ever imagined would make a stunning comeback to be metamorphosed into a cool sound -set fair to mesmerize a new generation of devotees
Harry Greene
“ I remember as a student, back in 1973’ mused one audience member –“ I switched on the radio and out came this amazing noise and I thought ‘This is nothing we’ve ever heard before’”
The band was Steely Dan, the New York partnership of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen whose originality , intriguing lyrics and massive debt to the jazzers of the golden age of American music, made them more or less infamous in the music world.
As a young rock journalist Chris Ingham, bandleader and brilliant maestro of the dark arts of blues, was sent to interview the aloof New York duo. Nervously tuned in with his Walkman (the hip technology of the decade) he quaked with apprehension at the task of taking on these famously sceptical creatives. He found them charming, if mysterious. He could surely never have guessed his own part in their everlasting eternal musical fame.
With his line -up of surely the most talented jazz proponents of today, Chris gives their work the full acoustic shake down.
As flamboyant David Gower announced the new jazz season, Steely Jazz swung into action. They were superb. Band leader Chris is a dry amusing commentator. Witty jazz introduction is (after Ronnie Scott)- an art form itself And he’s a brilliant singer and keyboard player - given breaks at the keyboard by the astonishingly accomplished Paul Higgs – this man switched from luminous green trumpet ( yes) to piano – ‘elegantly infuriating’ as his boss described him. On stage he looks about 17 but Paul Higgs has a humbling array of instruments he can handle - a shiny flügelhorn tops them off.. Harry Greene on sax and guitar captured the delighted crowd and Geoff Gascoyne on double bass loomed grandly over the entire ensemble. Everyone loved George Double on drums – and I adored his subtle singing .
This is a new style of jazz, an homage to genius of the past – a re-birth of an always under rated and nigh on forgotten combo who once shook the scene.
Who next for the jazz makeover? Can I suggest Dire Straits? One of Chris’s keen fans gibbed when Steely Jazz was launched. He claimed -in a bitter letter -that Chris Ingham had joined the Philistines. If so, I for one ,am glad to be amongst them!
Band Leader writer and arranger Chris Ingham
Paul Higgs
