The Marcia Pendlebury Quintet - Sunday 18 March

marcia-pendlebury
Black Mountain Jazz Club hosted the long awaited return to Abergavenny of Marcia Pendlebury. Once again the wintry weather conditions did not deter our ardent jazz club followers.

The cold evening was soon warmed by Marcia’s vocals, as ever delivering it straight from the heart with her superb version of ‘Black Coffee’. The first set continued with more songs from her latest album ‘at 60 something’. ‘Little’ John Lambrick on guitar was in great form: intros full of beautiful harmonies; lovely, full chords; solos well executed, clean, thoughtful and full of humour.

Stepping in on piano for the evening was one of the most accomplished jazz pianists in the UK, London-based Phil Mead. His featured ‘Stella by Starlight’ was an impressive and beautifully executed tour de force.

at-60-something
With the interval highlights of the raffle (prize a copy of ‘at 60 something’) and Nigel’s famous chicken curry safely out of the way, the second set continued with great American song book classics such as swonderful and the heart-stopping ‘I get along with out you very well’ – which for me was the outstanding song of the set.

Clive Moreton on Wood Bass impressed with his deceptively laconic style - this guy really swings. Completing the rhythm section for the evening, local drummer John Gibbon was a more than able stand-in for Marcia’s regular, the Chris Pendlebury. John has a long-standing musical relationship with the Pendleburys, having played with them regularly throughout the late 1980s and early 90s.

Many thanks to John Lambrick for his part in making this evening possible, also to Martin Russell for photographing the evening (pics will be posted shortly).

© Peter Scaddan 2007