Impossible Gentlemen at Dorking's Watermill Jazz Club

I couldn't have chosen a better night to re-visit the Watermill Jazz Club in Dorking. With a free night and a strong yearning for some live music, The Watermill sprung to my mind. Being a Thursday, I knew they'd have a gig planned and when Paul Hobbs rang to say The Impossible Gentlemen were playing, I knew I couldn't miss it. Amazingly they had chosen the Watermill to kick off their UK & European Tour - what a scoop for Dorking!

The place was packed and I was lucky enough to sit smack bang in front of the guitarist, the incredible Mike Walker. The band is headed up by Gwilym Simcock, one of the most gifted and energetic pianists around. Gwilym is unbelievably talented at both classical and jazz and moves confidently between both. He has been described as stylistically reminiscent to Keith Jarrett and his passion for his instrument is intoxicating - Gwilym cannot sit still when he plays which is not only endearing but also evidence of how completely connected and intensely involved he is with his piano. He's almost too generous a band leader, introducing lots of solos for the rest of his band, which is great, but I'd have liked to hear more solos from him too.
Mike Walker is also incredibly accomplished on his instrument, playing the guitar with such intense passion that we sometimes feel have lost him to another place entirely. But he is still with us - the tie between him, his instrument and the audience is never lost. Gwilym watches him intently and they move to another rhythm effortlessly. Mike's musical CV is mind-boggling - he has travelled the world and played with some of the finest musicians imaginable. Too many names and places to mention here but worth checking out.
The fabulously wacky Adam Nussbuaum from Connecticut draws sounds out of his drum kit like I have never heard before - dramatic drum rolls, whispers of noise, vibrations, rattles, a beat that got the whole front row jigging in their seats - his skill is incredible, and so is his energy. And finally the newest member of the band, double bassist Steve Rodby who made his debut at Dorking that night. Born in Illinois he began studying classical orchestral bass at the age of 10. At times he wraps himself round his bass like a long lost lover, engulfing himself in the music. This is a man who has played, composed, conducted and won 13 Grammys; watch him play and you'll see why.
There is incredible telepathy between all The Impossible Gentlemen, so whereas one sometimes wonders in jazz if the right hand man has slightly lost what the left is doing, these guys certainly do. They play completely individually, and yet their music fuses together in compositions that sometimes freewheel off into the unknown before they are reined back onto the rails to continue in steady, pulsating harmony. This is all part of the excitement and skilled musicianship that makes them such a brilliant live band. It's impossible to describe here in detail all their combined years of experience and list their musical acolades. Google them, buy their new album 'Aliens', see them live - do whatever you can to get to know them. Truly, you won't regret it.
The Impossible Gentlemen's current tour dates: www.impossiblegentlemen.com
The Watermill Jazz Club celebrates its 20th anniversary next year and this thriving jazz club owes its success to a devoted team who for 2 decades have planned, gajoled, encouraged and run some of the best jazz nights in the area. The club is hosted by Friends Provident in their spacious social club. Future dates include Stan Tracey and Jacqui Dankworth. More info: www.watermilljazz.co.uk

Norman Adams RA - blessed with space at Guildford Cathedral

What better place to display ‘Images of God’ than Guildford Cathedral? The beautiful pale stonework is the perfect backdrop for vibrant paintings by the late Norman Adams RA.

Adams was a leading British painter of the second half of the 20th century, renowned for his religious paintings and in this exhibition they are blessed with generous space and suffused in gentle light. Adams’ larger works are rarely seen so it is a great privilege indeed to have them displayed in Guildford. In the Lewis Elton Gallery a short walk away, The Artist in his Environment shows paintings of his holidays and a few of the smaller religious works.
Norman Adams was a greatly admired painter with a fascinating life story (fully told in the exhibition leaflet). Born near London in 1927, he went to Harrow Art School at 13. After winning a scholarship to the Royal College of Art he gained many commissions which enabled him to buy a cottage in Yorkshire in 1956.  He lived and worked there for the rest of his life with his wife and two boys. His younger, Ben Adams, inherited his father’s work following his death in 2005 and he has been instrumental in helping put this Guildford exhibition together. Ben’s accompanying notes to each painting add real interest to this collection of work.

Adams was a prolific painter and worked mainly in oils. His paintings are bold and confident and express his feelings on events both contemporary and also historical. His work nearly always has a message. Christian iconography is a theme and he incorporates worldwide issues such as poverty in the third world. His work is political and religious and each painting deserves sufficient time to comprehend the messages beyond a bold, almost luminous, palette .

Adams was elected a full member of the Royal Academy in 1972 and during the 80s he fell in love with Provence and spent many happy summers there. He loved to capture the landscape in water colour and these are relatively delicate and mystical in contrast to his vibrant oils. Adams developed Parkinson’s Disease in the 1990s but, determined not to be defeated, he switched from working in oils on larger works to watercolours, working in smaller sections which he later pieced together. His familiar style is still there, and so is the vibrant energy of a creative and passionate man who used painting as a means to express his views on the world.
This enlightening exhibition was instigated by Michael Woodhouse, from Wonersh, who has worked tirelessly with the Lewis Elton Gallery, Guildford Cathedral and be Adams to celebrate the works of Norman Adams. As we wandered through the cathedral, shafts of sunlight spilled across the paintings. Michael tells me that his vision was to see huge works of art in these great spaces and, following a visit to Ben Adams, the seed was sown. Ben’s contribution has been a huge bonus – in welcoming Michael to view his father’s art collection, helping to sort the practicalities of moving the paintings to Guildford and providing enriching insights into his father’s life and work.
How incredibly lucky for the people of Guildford and further afield that the determination and energy of a very small group of people has resulted in this major exhibition. Entrance is free to both Guidford Cathedral and the Lewis Elton Gallery – allow plenty of time to wander and absorb the magnificence of Norman Adams’ work.
Images of God and The Artist in his Environment runs until Thursday October 24, 2013
More info:
Guildford Cathedral 01483 547860   Website: http://www.guildford-cathedral.org  Check with the Cathedral that services are not scheduled for when you plan to visit.
Lewis Elton Gallery 01483 689167 and www.surrey.ac.uk/arts/visualarts  Gallery open from 10.00 to 17.00 Mon – Fri. Sat & Sun by prior arrangement - call number above.