Mark Kavuma supported by Oscar Lyons: Live at Watford Pump House

Another delightful evening with Watford Jazz Junction Music Festival at the Pump House Theatre, this time with award-winning trumpeter Mark Kavuma supported by another rising star - Oscar Lyons.

The Mark Kavuma Quintet

Oscar Lyons Quartet

The evening began with Oscar Lyons (piano) with George Johnson (tenor sax), Zaki Osahn (bass) and Ananda Brandao (drums) with an impressive set of original compositions proving that the young jazz world is thriving and producing outstanding music. While they may lack the experience, they absolutely have the chops, with each musician performing with a frenetic energy when required and a beautiful calm of freedom and respect for the creativity and improvisation of each other. Percussive piano melds into gentle melodies: intensity and speed ebbs and flows.

Clearly, these musicians have done their preparation and enjoy working together, with simplicity and complexity each handled brilliantly.

Following a break, the stage was prepared for Mark Kavuma (trumpet) to fill it with the sound of his quintet (the billed quartet we were all expecting, with the added bonus of sax player Ruben Fox) including Deschanel Gordon (piano), Jack Garside (bass) and Jack Thomas (drums). A blinding set that proved once again how adept Watford Jazz Junction is at selecting fine performers.

There is a reason why these guys win awards, and Mark Kavuma was just named Instrumentalist of the Year in the 2025 Jazz FM Awards. But he is so much more than a phenomenal trumpeter - his compositions are stunning pieces that allow each member of the band to perform both as integral elements and exciting improvisers.

Favourite pieces of the set included Fox’s Anansi’s Waltz and Kavuma’s own feature with bass , Michael’s Ballad that was co-composed with Michael Shrimpling but beautifully performed this time with Garside. The quintet’s version of Almost Like Being in Love was breathtaking in beauty, cinematic in scale and dextrous in execution.

Highs and lows, light and shade, humour and utter seriousness - this set took us everywhere and back again. Kavuma has always been an artist I wanted to catch live and he and his quintet more than delivered on the expectation.

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