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
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
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