Blues meets jazz in soul-stirring show at Hadleigh Jazz Club

By Robert Carr

24th Apr 2024 | Local News

The audience was thrilled at Hadleigh Jazz Club.
The audience was thrilled at Hadleigh Jazz Club.

For two full houses at Saturday's Hadleigh Jazz Club, the exciting new Blues & Greene music project rolled up to explore the world of where blues and jazz meet.

Joining the Chris Ingham Trio, Suffolk's saxophone and guitar star Harry Greene dazzled the audience with his scintillating technique.

Together with Chris Ingham on vocals, piano and guitar; Owen Morgan on double bass and electric bass guitar; and club promoter George Double on drums and percussion, they came together as an inspirational jazz/blues combo for their unique endeavour.

Chris Ingham and Harry Greene.

A wide-ranging setlist included the output of American jazz pianist, composer and orchestra leader Duke Ellington; the more contemporary, blues-tinged jazz-rock fusion of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen's Steely Dan; the unique and influential jazz and blues vocalist/pianist/songwriter Mose Allison; together with the legendary Chicago bluesman Willie Dixon.

The show got off to an exciting start when Harry – playing sax - emerged from the back of the auditorium, to make his way through the audience and onto the stage as the band announced themselves with Ellington's classic C Jam Blues.

Chris obviously has a great liking and feel for Mose Allison, and the inclusion of his Everybody's Cryin' Mercy and Foolkiller allowed him to showcase the laconic wit of both of them. Meeting Becker and Fagen in New York was a notable moment in Chris's life, so the inclusion of Steely Dan's The Last Mall and the mysterious but, instantly recognisable, bluesy meandering Pretzel Logic was a given for the show.

The music of J. J. Cale, Brother Jack McDuff, Jeff Lorber and John Schofield also lit up the show. Two songs by the latter included Chariots, a funkily disguised interpretation of the Vangelis Chariots of Fire theme tune - amazing.

The pairing of Harry and Chris to front the show is inspired. On his Gibson guitar, Harry plays jazz, rock riffing and maximum rhythm & blues to the highest level. He can be laid back, cool and funky on his saxes but also has the scintillating technique of the best in the business.

In addition to his musical ability, Chris was born to communicate, relating endless anecdotes, background info, and trivia about songs, composers, and everything that matters. Also, for the first time that I can recall, he proudly unveiled his Fender Stratocaster to join in the guitar fun with Harry.

Owen was a virtuoso revelation on his electric bass, including snappy dazzling solos such as I've never heard before - he wowed me and everybody else.

Such is George's experience and talent, he has the gift of adapting to any genre, rhythm and style of music. And in another first for him (to my recollection) he treated us to a performance on his congas – a memorable treat.

Chris Ingham at the piano with Harry Greene on sax.

Reminding me of the 1960s British blues boom, the band's encore was a nostalgic (for me) rendition of Dixon's My Babe, a favourite of many groups of the era. These include a 1959 cover by Cliff Richard and the Drifters – amazing, but true! And Elvis also covered it.

Blues music can be difficult to pin down as a genre, but most of us know it when hear we it. For some, with its soulful melodies and its relatable themes, it can be a powerfully enjoyable form of cultural expression. Alternatively, following Chris's helpful explanation of the genre to the audience, he succinctly summed it up as being all about "Moanin' and sex!"

Speaking with Harry before the show, he told me, "Performing at Hadleigh Jazz Club is always a real treat, where I've previously had many enjoyable times over the years with a wide range of artists."

He went on to tell me that they've had a great run of shows and he was excited at the prospect of the double gig.

Harry Greene in solo mode.

In a complete change of mood and style, HJC's next show will be a performance by a Club favourite, trumpeter/composer Paul Higgs, of his new Pavane album Summer Lullaby. I've already listened to the CD, and it's beautiful. He will also perform some classic jazz tunes.

The show is on Saturday 15 June, and tickets will go on sale at www.ticketsouce.co.uk/hadleigh-jazz-club As there is to be only one performance on the day, there will be a high demand for tickets. So, be ahead of the rest by ensuring that you receive advance information about this and other upcoming shows.

Add your name to the Club's mailing list by emailing George at [email protected]; on 07941 360890; or via his website www.georgedouble.com/hadleigh-jazz-club

     

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