Cheltenham Jazz Festival: Jack DeJohnette and the Jerwood Artists - Everyman theatre, Cheltenham

Monday 4th May 2009

Crackerjack rating: 7 / 10.

The start was delayed by unfinished business. Yesterday a power cut put paid to a  performance by saxist John Surman and pianist Nikki Yeoh.

Here at least lovers of ECM music received fifteen minutes compensation, with magical interplay as nuances moved from classical to gospel.

Next the main business of the evening. American super-drummer Jack DeJohnette had spent two days rehearsing with young British musicians/composers. Here were the results.

And the future of jazz UK looks very bright in the hands of bassist Neil Charles, saxists Shabaka Hitchings and Nathaniel Facey, trumpeter Tom Arthuts, flautist Gareth Lockrane, guitarist Chris Sarkey and pianist Tom Cawley.

Most of the compositions were inspired by the late Eric Dolphy and they inspired some fine soloing backed by inspirational drumming

In a very long programme the dissonance level became a little heavy. But not enough to cloud a jazz sky that looks very bright for the 2000’s.

Derek Briggs