Hitchin's very own Club85 hosts JazzUp! once a month and the house band that opens every show is led by Joe English. Together with his trio, Joe brings some of the newest, most exciting jazz. For September, they were opening for the accomplished showman, vocalist and saxist Ray Gelato.
Photography copyright Robert Crowley
Joe and Ray are at different stages in their musical career, although neither has much more to prove. Leading their own groups of outstanding musicians, they both exemplify the glorious state of UK jazz post-pandemic.
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| Joe, Herbie and Henry |
Starting the evening with a set of some lesser-known standards, arranged by members of the band, as well as original compositions, the Joe English Trio (joe on piano, Herbie Rees playing a beautiful brand new bass and Henry Rugg on drums) gave the appreciative audience the best possible start to a night of jazz. What these young men lack in years and experience, they more than make up for in musicianship and creativity.
When it comes to a discussion of Ray Gelato, there's an exuberance about the man that can't easily be captured in words. He's a performer in all senses of the word - sax player, band leader, singer and raconteur. His vocal duets with JazzUp's own Dave Keech were only matched by their trombone/sax duets. It was a great night and much fun was had by all. Gelato always puts on a good show and the trio behind him were outstanding - responding to his leading and playing some stonking jazz.
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| Dave and Ray |
Photography copyright Robert Crowley
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