Reviews

Influenced from an early age by Art Blakey, drummer Gaz Hughes was visiting the island as a part of a nationwide tour to promote his new album. Appropriately a tribute to Art Blakey.

Legendary drummer Art Blakey was an in demand sideman who as well as playing with many of the jazz greats led for 35 years The Jazz Messengers, an outfit that was ever changing and a proving ground for young jazz talent. Having the Messengers on one's resume was something of a rite of passage in the jazz world.

The finale number was Moanin' from the album of the same name and this was something the audience were certainly not doing after a splendid afternoon in the company of some very fine musicians.

With island favourites Alan Barnes on saxes and Bruce Adams on trumpet the band rocked their way through the Art Blakey songbook with a set that included perennial Blakey favourites Arabia, The Soulful Mr Timmons and Caravan.

Completing the band and putting in very fine personal performances were Dean Masser on tenor sax, Andrzej Baranek on piano and Ed Harrison on bass.

The next concert is on Sunday 5 April when the club returns to the Apollo Theatre for a return visit of the popular Graeme Hughes High Society Jazz Band. The concert starts at 3.00pm and tickets are available from Gerry Cullis on 730601 or Bill Wills on 523879.