Lunchtime concert
offered jazz at its
most enjoyable
The Nick Reynolds Quartet and
Giles White,
St John's Chapel, St John's Street.
An idyllic way to spend a sunny
lunchtime... this really was jazz at its
most accessible and enjoyable.
The Nick Reynolds Quartet kicked
things off with Duke Ellington's Caravan
before being joined by
jazz-classical-and-whatever-else-you-like
singer Giles White for half an hour of
well-chosen, digestible numbers including
plenty of Gershwin and a bit of Bart
thrown in for good measure.
The highlight was probably their
three-season Four Seasons. Jazz musicians
can't count, Giles explained. But just as
enjoyable was the double dose of
Gershwin with which Giles announced his
presence - Embraceable You and I Got
Rhythm.
Nick Reynolds' piano-playing was
excellent, combining technical mastery
with apparent easy-flow effortlessness. No
less impressive was David Smith on
guitar. And whatever the mood, White's
vocals were just right.
These lunchtime concerts are a great
idea - a gentle way to limber up for the
Festivities' more substantial, evening
offerings.
Phil Hewitt
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