Chocklit_Thunda
So this Sunday, my cousins and I had the absolute pleasure of watching the Jazz Jazz Jazz ensemble at their live recording gig at the Brazen Head pub, Sandton (just off Grayston Drive) and what a show it was.
The band line up consisted of Sarah-Kate on vocals, Keira on guitars and percussion and Ian on drums.
And what a line up they are! All masters of their trade, seeming to have an intimate connection with their instruments. I was convinced that Sarah-Kate regularly used throat spray with water made of ice from the exact south pole... Keira Must have dipped her hands in butter to allow them to skate across her guitar the way they did.... And I'm convinced that Ian, using nothing but his drumsticks, could coax an orchestral marching beat out of a drumkit made of concrete! Although all of this would mean nothing if it didn't come together for the show.... Luckily for my ears it did! The chemistry between members is brilliant. They worked so well together on the stage, with Keira in the middle orchestrating everything with just a simple nod or look. Everyone knew their part, when to go hard, when to soften up, when to solo and when not to steal someone elses thunder. It truly was a pleasure to watch!
Not to mention that this was a live recording session and so the show had to be up to standard, and boy was it!
The show had jazzed up versions of well known classics such as "Love" by Sinatra and "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong as well as some instrumental pieces that spoke more than a thousand words ever could.
Adding to the fun was a piece done by Ian and Keira (Using a nylon acoustic) involving some vigorous strumming and picking styles and using the guitar as a drum (even holding it out for Ian to drum out a nice beat). The crowd also got their moment to shine as Keira held up the back of her guitar causing the entire crowd to yell out, "Ole!" in unison at the sight of the word taped onto the instrument.
To top off the great musicians, the sound engineer really did his job well! The mix was perfect with no overpowering sounds at all. Really, it was a well orchestrated gig!
At the break, my cousin and I (the other cousin was engrossed in the football match) had the pleasure of meeting and talking to the band themselves . My cousin hit it off instantly with Sarah-Kate (Both being Witsies and all) while I had a chance to speak to both Keira and Ian (All really cool people!)
My conversation with Ian was really something else. He's been in the music business and boasts quite a career, but more impressive is the fact that he says he's only been playing the kit for 2 years now, which shows just how talented these guys really are.
In speaking to both Keira and Ian, it came up that the South African music industry is really not at the point where it should be, especially in terms of support of local music scenes. That rang true for me, because in that room there were about 20-30 people watching musicians talented enough to play for a crowd of 500+, where each and every member in the crowd would enjoy the show.
The show, for me, was phenomenal. These guys really do know how to entertain and you can bet that the next time they're in my "area" you can bet I'll go back for more
(Yeah it's always fine for us kid's from Benoni to travel to Sandton but when it's the other way around its "Too far"... >☹)
And I do hope that the next time I go to watch them in action I see more of you guys there too (Because seriously... It's on a Sunday.... You weren't doing anything important anyway.... ?)
Really though I do implore you guys to go and check them out! I guarantee you'll enjoy every minute of it like I did!
And if you don't think my "review" is good enough I'll post a rating
11/10 Choc's (Yeah Choc's are a valid rating system....)
domhatch
well, i must say i enjoyed it too. you could really tell how much they were enjoying themselves up there. and when you can see that - well, that's all you need. it rubs off on the audience, and we really enjoy ourselves down there.
i had a ball and will try to make a plan to check 'em out again, next time they play.
keira, i love your hofner, it's beautiful. and it sounds magical.
dh
Keira-WitherKay
Thanks for the kind words ..... And thanks to you for making the effort to come to the gig....
Choklit thunder and domhatch great spending the evening with you both ....
And briang knows us well and himself is a fab player who sat in and jammed with us for a good few weeks ...
Still not heard the recording but looking forward to it....
And yes we love playing jazz and working with each other .... So glad it shows .....
