Matt Roberts’ Biggish Band: The Music of Freddie Hubbard @ Spice of Life, EFG London Jazz Festival

“It’s gonna get cosmic” announced bandleader Matt Roberts, standing before his thirteen-piece Biggish Band and enthusiastic crowd. This star-studded ensemble indeed entered the cosmos through Roberts’ arrangements that explore the music of the late trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, with a focus on his career during the 1970s. Working with the likes of Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter, some of Hubbard’s most highly acclaimed works came out of this era, giving Roberts a colourful palette to play with. Deploying a variety of woody timbres with a multi-instrumentalist front line, this arranger’s vibrant yet economic writing translates Hubbard’s small ensemble works into rich biggish band masterpieces.

Although Roberts also features in the trumpet section, the hot seat of Hubbard’s solo chair was occupied by the mighty James Copus. Pairing driving angular quavers with sublime fluidity, this man explores the instrument in all its Hubbard-esque range. Copus brought to life ‘The Intrepid Fox’ from Hubbard’s 1970 album, Red Clay, embodying the creature’s attitude with a melodic solo over chunky modal changes. Later, tenor saxophonist and Jacob Collier-collaborator Josh Arcoleo was unleashed onto another Red Clay classic, ‘Sweet Sioux’, with a solo that caused Roberts’ jaw to drop.

Jamie Cullum’s bassist, Loz Garratt, proved to be a vital fixture to this ensemble showing virtuosity across both electric and upright bass. A particular rhythm section highlight was Hubbard’s ‘The Love Connection’, featuring a bottom-heavy groove sliced up by brass stabs and a stratospheric trombone solo from Olli Martin. This brilliantly unified ensemble enhanced every colour and detail that Roberts has excavated from Hubbard’s music, making for a stellar celebration of Hubbard’s mastery. With the 50th anniversary of Red Clay just around the corner, an early 2020 Ronnie Scott’s gig is highly anticipated for Roberts and his Biggish Band.