Swallow Quintet at The CSBO Centre
Nov 28 2011 |
Written by
m.j.91
As part of the exciting autumn program from Birmingham Jazz, on Saturday the CBSO Centre was host to esteemed jazz bassist Steve Swallow and his quintet. Swallow is one of the most notable jazz composers of the last 50 years, something left undisputed by the beauty and intricacy of the evening’s performance.
After a warm welcome from Tony Dudley-Evans, the band began with an enigmatic opening, each musician combining to produce a hypnotically mellow texture. This was cushioned by lush, warbling chords played on Hammond organ by Swallow’s partner Carla Bley. The addition of an eerily dissonant melody from bass, guitar and tenor saxophone created an elegant blend of timbres, enhanced by the soft, atmospheric lighting on the venue’s bronze-curtained walls.
Segueing through the first few tunes of the set, the quintet built up a compelling sense of anticipation and energy. Several pieces, such as Dog’s Life, began simply and understated, later growing into a mesmerising swell of sound, the rich harmonies underpinned by a bristling intensity from drummer Jorge Rossy.
Also featured were tunes As Is and the unusually named Crowded in the Shower, followed in the second half by a selection of repertoire based on Swallow’s love of murder mystery stories; three pieces intriguingly named Grizzly Business, Unnatural Causes and, simply, The Butler. These were captivatingly impressionistic, featuring haunting chromaticism, slow, secretive passages and sections of sudden frenetic energy, fuelling the idea of a chase in a thrilling ‘Whodunnit?’
The stunning performance left the audience stomping and clapping for an encore, calling the quintet back to the stage for a final whip through short but smart number Name that Tune, met again with rapturous applause.
As a hub for live jazz and classical music, the CBSO Centre continues to be a key component of Birmingham’s cultural landscape. Watching esteemed musicians such as the Swallow Quintet in this spacious, yet intimate venue is a real treat and a tribute to Birmingham Jazz and the thriving jazz scene in the city.
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