The
Bannau Trio - Sunday 17 June
Before
Sunday’s performance I had a chance to chat to Nia Lynn,
who was in a very nostalgic mood on her return to the town
where she has so many roots. She told me about her time in
the 6th form at KHS, how Head of Music Steve Marshall
inspired and introduced her to jazz, and how she owes so
much as a performer to her tutors at the Gwent Young
People’s Theatre.
Sunday’s
concert was preceded with a champagne reception provided by
Nia’s record company, 33 Jazz Records – and if you were not
intoxicated by the bubbly, then I am sure you would have
been by the vocal charm of Miss Nia Lynn and her brilliant
trio. Singing a selection of jazz standards in the first
set, Lynn showed that vocally she has great individuality,
but at the same time she allowed us to hear her influences
with subtle vocal inflections.
Ross Stanley
on piano was in a masterly mood, creating sheets of sound
as a platform for tenor saxophonist
Samuel
Crockatt to weave his solos. Stanley is a regular member of
the Bannau Trio, while Crockatt was standing in for
flautist Gareth Cockrane who was unavailable, and what a
brilliant job he did, growing in confidence with every
song.
And then, at
half-time, the unthinkable happened – we ran out of curry!
If you want to make sure of getting yours on future either
phone in advance (01873 852295) or arrive before 8.15.
Back to business. The second set again included jazz
standards such as ‘Time after Time’, a very fine selection
of Lynn originals with wonderful use of both Welsh and
English lyrics, some great British classics including a
personal favourite of mine, Kenny Wheeler’s ‘Everyone’s
Song but my Own’.
At BMJ we’re proud to be associated with young British Jazz
talent, and after Sunday’s performance we know it is in
good hands.
©
Peter Scaddan
2007
