Alex Garnett's Bunch of 5 open up South Coast Jazz Festival in style

So spectacular that, for a few fleeting moments, its fiery pink glow cast across the roofs and walls made it appear, from high on the Brighton hills, as though Jaipur had somehow been transplanted on the Sussex coastline overnight. A perfect curtain raiser then for this delightful boutique festival, programmed and hosted by leading UK singer Claire Martin and Loose Tubes saxophonist Julian Nicholas – both locals – that returned for its second year at the Ropetackle Arts Centre.

Following a vocal workshop with Anita Wardell during the day, the evening shows kicked of with the locally based Jack Kendon Quintet featuring singer Imogen Ryall (above). Led by trumpeter Kendon their sprite set mixed originals with Carla Bley and Larry Golding tunes that showcased Ryall’s quiet power and articulation. Her newly written lyrics and rapid scat based around the aforementioned pieces, particularly her loose, edgy wordplay on the Golding improvisations, combined with guest Julian Nicholas’ sizzling tenor sax to agreeable effect.

Taking a large leaf from the Jazz Couriers’ book, saxophonist Alex Garnett’s Bunch of Fives (pictured below and top) arrived at the Ropetackle in buoyant mood, no doubt boosted by the string of excellent reviews their debut album, Andromeda, grabbed upon release in mid-2015. With the redoubtable skills and musical punch of Brandon Allan on tenor, Liam Noble on piano, Michael Janisch on bass and Andrew Bain depping for James Maddren on drums, the twin tenor attack isn’t the only tool borrowed from the Couriers’ kit box as Garnett is rapidly developing a wacky line of jokes and banter that would have had Ronnie Scott feeling his collar. But as the name suggests, Bunch of Five are here to give you a smack and that they certainly do with a contemporary take on the hard bop tradition, cut through with enough inventive twists to place it firmly in 2016. Noble’s restless imagination and Allan’s jagged counterpoint fired up a Stan Kenton arrangement and original compositions from Andromeda, closing out with a bruising take on ‘Delusions Of Grandma’, which left the sold out house wanting more.

Tonight at the festival it’s Gareth Williams and Dave Green’s salute to the music of Bill Evans and Scott LaFaro and Nikki Iles plus Norma Winstone’s Printmakers; Saturday 23 January includes daytime workshops with Julian Nicholas (Jazz For Juniors) and Jazzwise’s Kevin Le Gendre (Jazz For Absolute Beginners) and evening concerts with the Arun Ghosh Quintet plus the Christine Tobin Trio; and Sunday features daytime sessions with the Lewes Old Grammar School Choir and an open jam session and an evening concert featuring Claire Martin with the Pete Long Echoes of Ellington Orchestra paying tribute to the timeless sounds of Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald. Don’t miss out on the first fest of the year…

–       – Jon Newey (story)

–       – Brian O’Connor (photos)

For more info on the festival visit www.ropetacklecentre.co.uk