The Colin Steele quintet, featuring the brilliant saxophone of Martin Kershaw, cooked it up a storm at The Jazz Bar tonight.
A young lady in the front row (who couldn’t have been more than 11 years-old!) was back for the second night in a row. And why not, when you have musicianship of this quality on your doorstep.
The superlatives list would be long for the saxophone playing of Martin Kershaw who was the stand-out on stage, a truly world-class performer. Beautifully supported by Colin Steele on trumpet, Pete Johnstone on keys, Brian Shiels on Bass and Max Popp on the skins.
It was great to see the level of respect and love for their fellow players and the space they all received to show off their individual skills on the various instruments, all of which was heartily applauded by the packed audience.
A mere morsel of the back catalogue of two of Jazz’s greats, my favourite had to be the Charlie Parker ballad piece, Laura, so haunting and poignant. Played just beautifully on the sax. Like an early morning meander through the alleyways of Paris, with a lover on your arm, before sunrise over the Seine.
A dizzying chain of melodies which was all over far too quickly.
If you are a music lover, don’t miss this.
Reviewer: Greg Holstead
Reviewed: 22nd August 2023
North West End UK Rating: