Jazz breaking news: Voice launches with Sumudu, Frankie Lewis and Polly Gibbons spearheading Hideaway’s singers night
Friday, May 4, 2012
A new night showcasing singers launched yesterday at Hideaway, the south London jazz club in Streatham.
Called Voice the format is based around the house band of pianist and musical director Janette Mason, bassist Simon Little, and drummer Frank Tontoh who back singers with newcomers invited to come along to try their luck in optimum conditions at Hideaway.
To kick things off last night six singers performed two songs each backed by the trio, opening with the soulful Sumudu whose take on Billy Taylor’s ‘I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free’ was finely judged. Peter Borthwick, who has been working on his debut album with Mason, was more in the cosier Peter Skellern or Richard Stilgoe mould, but Rachel Munro was jazzier if a little tentative on Rodgers and Hart’s ‘My Romance’ yet knew how to do a northern soul take on Ed Cobb’s ‘Tainted Love’ bearing Gloria Jones’ version in mind, but at a slow tempo that worked surprisingly well, with tasteful support by the trio. Frankie Lewis was the big surprise of the night, a little nervous perhaps and a bit rough and ready (she said she hadn’t had much sleep the night before), she nonetheless excelled on Billie Holiday’s ‘Fine and Mellow’, and her debut coming out later this year is something to look forward to for fans of Lady Day and others. Lily Gonzalez who has been touring on the big venue 1980s retro New Romantic circuit recently brought a bit of life to the night belting out a few songs, later returning gamely on percussion, and the night came to an excellent finish with Polly Gibbons who tackled a Stevie Wonder song. Frank Tontoh, who is featured in the June issue of Jazzwise published later this month, was a treat to hear and was the ideal drummer for the night. Gadd-like he can do it all, while Mason managed to bring an approachable freshness to the pop songs as well as the jazz material. Bassist Little switched between acoustic and electric bass during the evening and came into his own when Frankie Lewis got into her stride. Fine and mellow, indeed.
– Stephen Graham
The next Voice is on 24 May. More details on how to take part from www.hideawaylive.co.uk