Review: Birmingham Conservatoire Jazz Orchestra

Apr 7 2008 By Peter Bacon at Adrian Boult Hall

Chris Proctor, fourth year student at the Conservatoire, had arranged a three-date tour as part of his coursework, and this was the first night.

The draw card was that composer and bandleader Mike Gibbs had agreed to provide the charts and conduct, and a better choice it is hard to imagine.

Gibbs' charm and easy manner was just what was needed. I am sure they would never have been a bunch of rabbits in the head-lights, but this was still a strikingly cool and self-assured big band.

Ensemble work is commonly fairly buttoned-down and effective in student bands - it is in the solos that inexperience can show. No such weak spots here.

Things started strongly with Lluis Mather on alto playing throughout Almost Ev'ry Day, and continued at that high level, with other standout soloists Rob Anstey and Trystan Williams on trombones, Alex Merritt on tenor, and Sam Wooster on trumpet.

Guitarist Jimmy Brewer had the unenviable task of taking the John Scofield part on Science and Religion, and carried it off with aplomb - he almost smiled afterwards.

The man who appeared to enjoy himself most - apart from Mr Gibbs, of course - was drummer Ben Kane. He drove the band marvellously, and exuded the life-affirming joy that comes from being surrounded by big, fat brass sounds blasting out.

The strength of Mike Gibbs' music is that, modern and impressionistic as it might be, it still holds on to good dollops of old-fashioned big band power.

It's such a thrill to hear a band like this at close quarters, the physical breath from the instruments nearly as tangible as the powerfully-sweet sounds they're making.

More, please.