The Cambridge Jazz Festival opened tonight with the head spinning blast of the trail blazer band, Brass Funkeys, the exciting nine-piece ensemble gave a stellar performance to the Packed floor at the Junction. New Orleans is the springboard for this remarkable Gang of Nine and for 14 years they have done the rounds of clubs fand British festivals. But there has been a step change. The band has gone international and how takes their unique energy of tradition to Europe. And won a top award in their latest competition in Spain.
What’s the secret.? Disciplined instruments masked by a devil-may-care style. Their stage presence is still structured – now only the bandleader and his loyal trombonist partner stick with the traditional ‘horns to the sky’ routine and simple stage steps – but the result is still outstanding. New musical directions score on their latest albums, but they got a crowded Junction welcome for a re-tread of their older hits. Super atmosphere in the space – a perfect blend of comfortable seating and ready-to roll dance floor.
But the Jazz Festival is full of surprises. What can we make of un-slated Shaun O’Halloran. Once a quiet guitarist, this musician has transformed into a heavenly keyboard player. As before his material is all written by him, but now he has backing vocals, two seraphic women, one on recorder, and a conglomerate of strings and percussion. The result was wonderful. “Rather like Bo Dylan” murmured Jen seated next to me, but Stephen on the other side disagreed, “More like Don McClean”
I am sure he would take either of those – and deserve them. He’s on You-tube btw.
And where did they say I get a CD?
