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Ska-punk prince turns jazz expert
By
Jack Massarik
21 Jun 2007
Jarvis Cocker's only jazz event in his Meltdown was brilliant, thanks to his keyboard-playing pal Jerry Dammers. The ska-punk prince of Coventry turns out to be a solar-jazz expert, capable of effective orchestrations in the Sun Ra style and hip enough to assemble a 15-piece group of similar inclinations.
Larry Stabbins, for example, might not get another gig this year, but his instant-freakout tenor-sax was ideal for this hairy occasion. Flautist Finn Peters and soprano saxman Denys Baptiste also sparkled, while bassist Neal Charles and drummer Patrick Illingworth were inspired choices in a five-man rhythm section that swung their masked and costumed colleagues with trancelike aplomb.
For the Sun Ra Arkestra, think of a super-stoned Duke Ellington band - Take the E Train, as it were. Alice Coltrane's stately waltz, Journey in Search of Peace, had a rugged grandeur, while My Temple and Egypt Strut rumbled along with elephantine momentum. Singers Francine Lucha (I'll Wait for You) and Anthony Joseph (Nuclear War) supplied reflective moments before this memorable set climaxed with Space is the Place. Space should certainly be made for Jerry's band.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (4)
I only went because I used to like the Specials and think Jarvis has taste. Beyond that, had no idea what to expect and was sceptical of the description but entered with an open mind. Result - fantastic evening. Best gig I've ever been to! It was a totally amazing from start to finish. Music was totally absorbing and I felt like I was in a trance for the two hour set. Jerry Dammers said one the themes for evening was re-birth and have to say I felt renewed afterwards. Truly a delight!
- Rachel Jordan, Oxford, UK, 28/06/2007 12:34
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Misunderstood (maybe), an outcast from the music industry (definitely) a musical genius (absolutely). As a long standing fan of all things 2 tone and particularly what Mr Dammers achieved this was an event not to be missed.
Pied piper-esque Jerry plays what appears to be a small casio keyboard as he leads the Spatial AKA Orchestra shuffling out and down through the audience and on to the stage chanting (There are nervous looks, both the musicians and the audience). All 16 musicians are wearing robes and hats, some have made an effort, some have not (Eric Morecombe lookalike and the bloke with the tea towel on his head spring to mind) but maybe thats jazz?
And so it starts - its certainly an experience 3 songs in and its quite hypnotic - Jerry has spent these songs with his back to the audience and does actually conduct the Orchestra. He is clearly in control.
Jerry now talks to the audience but sort of side on - the themes of the show are explained and they launch into song 4 - the pace is picked up, the musicians hit their stride and it all makes sense. Brilliant.
And so it continues Jerry having a wild freakout jazz stylee (or is it prog rock) but then its back to space jazz - I am a convert.
- Mickey S, Slough, 22/06/2007 00:19
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Last night Jerry Dammers proved that a jazz big band can be both heavy and psychedelic, and not lose swing. And what a great band, full of character and creativity. Pianist/keyboard player Zoe Rahman was a perfect foil to Dammers' storms of sludgy synth and random keyboard abuse, at one minute subtle and liquid, the next angular and stabbing. The brass section both swung as a unit and played free individually, spiking the arrangements with their own squalls of sound under Dammer's direction, before dropping back into the groove with Swiss watch synchronicity. Dammers grinned a gap-toothed grin from behind his banks of keyboards and synths. The rhythm section were compulsive to watch, in particular drummer Patrick Illingworth who worked in funk, hip hop and grime grooves, without the self-consciousness normally associated with such shenanigans.
And Dammers chose a great set, moving from Ra (including a barnstorming Arkestra take on the Batman theme), into Alice Coltrane's gorgeous spiritual epics, and through a reworking of his own Ghost Town with Nuclear War, with stridently phrased vocals from Anthony Joseph. Dammers touchingly dedicated I'll Wait For You to his recently deceased father, for which Francine Lucha provided a chilling, part-improvised vocal, at times sounding like a Venusian opera diva in mourning. Heartening to see a genuine British musical legend back on the stage again, making music better than ever.
- A.S. Bolton, London, UK, 21/06/2007 19:39
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A very exciting celebration of musical mavericky, Jerry Dammers and his orchestra bounced between harmony and dischord like a rubber spaceball. Can we have our ball back?
- Jon Johnstone, Croydon, England, 21/06/2007 15:35
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