REVIEW: 'Swing from Paris' at Kenilworth Jazz Club
By Clive Peacock
7th Feb 2023 | Opinion
Standing room only greeted late-comers to the monthly Kenilworth Jazz event at Glasshouse Lane, home of Kenilworth Rugby Club.
For the many who secured seats, the evening was a memory lane occasion as the remarkable Swing from Paris quartet recreated those happy memories of the Quintette du Hot Club de France of the 1930's, led by Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli.
What a performance by this Cotswold-based combo!
A remarkable 20-plus plays on a playlist of compositions and arrangements by many, many of the jazz greats including the John Lewis 'Afternoon in Paris', George Barnes 'I Can't Believe You're in Love with Me', to Charles Trenet's showstopper, 'La Mer', a clever arrangement of Lester Young's 'Tickle Toe' to more recent sensations - the 1974 composition by Astor Piazolla's 'Libertango' - so very typical of his Piazolla output for the classical music world.
Swing from Paris brings together a consolidated foursome full of talent.
Classically trained violinist, Fenner Curtis, leads the team, engaging with audiences in a pleasing, relaxed self-effacing manner.
He is supported by two guitarists with considerable expertise - Andy Bowen, a YouTube regular, and Sam Hughes, a keen exponent of rearrangements of works by the classical world greats - Mozart, Chopin and J S Bach.
You can bet your life his input was significant in the Piazolla arrangements!
Double bass player drives the combo with his infectious rhythms.
Strong rhythm guitar playing, clever interpretations and adaptations of George Gershwin musicals with 'But Not for Me from 'Girl Crazy' - a memorable performance of intricate and carefully crafted chord structures and clever key changes.
Together with their crisp finishes "Swing from Paris" provided a most welcome addition to Kenilworth Jazz Club's offerings, warmly acknowledged by a keen audience.
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