Checkin' out Chet - Sunday 6 May

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A near capacity bank holiday BMJ audience was treated to an evening of cool laid-back jazz with Ceri Williams and ‘Checkin out Chet’.

Tribute bands seem to be the norm in the pop and rock world with the motivation often being purely commercial, but ‘Checkin out Chet’ was entirely a labour of love.

Ceri Williams’s ability to capture the tonal quality and emotional depth of Chet Bakers playing was incredible. It is a well-known fact among jazz musicians (ask Phil Woods) that the great American songbook is very hard to play well.
The first set started with ‘Almost Like Being in Love’ with great vocals from Ceri Williams, Julian Martin on keyboards complimented Williams with his thoughtful comping and lyrical soloing.

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Williams has a very high regard for his band members, with double bass player Jayne Gregory receiving high praise for her impeccable time keeping. The second set continued with more tunes associated with Chet Baker, notably ‘ The Thrill has Gone’ in which Williams created a solo of intense emotion. Greg Evans on drums - again hand picked for this band - played with wonderful precision; his cymbal work was a delight.

One song that I personally wanted to hear the band play was ‘My Funny Valentine’ - and towards the end of the second set my patience was well rewarded.

It’s been a few years since I last heard Ceri Williams play, but judged on Sunday’s performance I would say let’s have more from ‘Checkin out Chet’ because for my money ‘The Thrill has definitely NOT gone’.

Pics as soon as Mike works how to extract them from his mobile.

© Peter Scaddan 2007