The Jazz Bar Archives - North West End UK

16Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Anna Vanosi Jazz Trio – The Jazz Bar

Escaping the bagpipes, the ticket pushers, the crowds and the traffic, to rest at peace for a quick hour and bathe in a little pool of jazz bliss with the Italian Diva herself, Anna Vanosi is just about perfect. Set below ground in the subterranean bunker that is The Jazz Bar, near the Museum, in Central Edinburgh’s melee, Vanosi ushered us through quite a quick catalogue of songs, mostly above love or lost love in the language of love, Italian. And some in the much less romantic English. Either language was fine with me, Vanosi’s voice was nectar in both. This is Vanosi’s second show at the Fringe this year, at the same venue, having completed a run of shows last week entitled, Late Bloomers Tales, which I also thoroughly enjoyed, but in a different way. The previous show is...

Joni Mitchell Reconstructed – The Jazz Bar (Venue No.57)

15Aug

By Amy HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Joni Mitchell Reconstructed – The Jazz Bar (Venue No.57)

The first of two shows starring jazz vocalists Jess Abrams and Claire Daly kicked off tonight at The Jazz Bar. This reconstruction of Joni Mitchell’s work was not trying to be a tribute according to the duo who added their own nuance to Mitchell’s tunes. The passion-filled show was a bit rough around the edges but in a lovable way. The pair seemed slightly nervous during their opening number “Blue” but gained confidence as they moved into more upbeat numbers. It was a nice touch that they chose songs which reflected their personalities as well as their voices such as Abrams singing the soft “River” and Daly singing the edgier “Harlem in Havana “. The variation between the duo’s voices meant they could sing a wider variety of Mitchell’s songs making the show more textured overall. H...

11Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Late Bloomers Tales – The Jazz Bar

Italian Jazz and soul singer, Anna Vanosi, is fast become a Fringe regular since she came here 4 years ago. Her soulful voice and playful storytelling brighten up the subterranean room of The Jazz Bar. She is no stranger to the venue throughout the year, but during August it seems to be where she lives! This set is as much a coming-of-age tale as a musical show, Anna draws her life out with lyrical richness, always finding the right song to tell her story, from tourist guide to traveller through Asia, to full time singer, and all dedicated to her Italian Grandma who has always been her guiding light. The songs when they come are rich and beautifully sung, aided by two talented backing musicians. Time is different for different things, Anna’s asks, ‘how long does it take water...

Blueswater Presents – Live at The Jazz Bar

11Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Blueswater Presents – Live at The Jazz Bar

Recently having celebrated their 10th anniversary, this is a serious five-piece blues band with long-standing Fringe credentials, with over 750 Fringe shows and in excess of 20,000 attendees in the bag already and ready to defend their (self-awarded) title as the hardest working band at the Edinburgh Fringe. And if this performance was anything to go by in a packed Jazz Bar, I think it is a fair description. Sweaty, loud and proud. A really enjoyable and raucous ninety minutes of musical mayhem. Expect, Baby Please Don’t Go, Who Do You Love, Blue Suede Shoes and Gloria, to name just a few of their extensive set list. If you are looking for a good time, dancing and singing along to some rhythm and blues standards, you can’t really go wrong here. Don’t expect high art or quiet contem...

Hendrix and Us – The Jazz Bar (Venue No.57)

11Aug

By Amy HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Hendrix and Us – The Jazz Bar (Venue No.57)

Scottish jazz-funk guitarist Aki Remally presents this ear-shattering and mind-blowing tribute to Hendrix. Just like Hendrix, Remally and his crew expertly navigated the binary between rock and jazz creating a sound that was both delicate and powerful. His singing was so alike Hendrix that when Remally spoke between songs his Scottish accent was a (pleasant) surprise. The other musicians were also incredible, and they all worked together like organs in a body to bring the band to life. Although it is impossible to pick a favourite from this set-list the impromptu addition of Red House featuring meandering interludes on the electric guitar was incredible. Whilst All Along the Watchtower was a crowd-pleaser with its funky riffs. Throughout, the performers played with passion which made t...