Marlow Jazz Club - Review (From Bucks Free Press)

Marlow Jazz Club - Review

9:44am Wednesday 20th May 2009

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It was good to see two of the new generation of British jazzmen destined to continue Britain’s respected standing in the jazz world appearing at Marlow Jazz Club, writes Ian Berrido.

They were sax player Vasilis Xenopoulos and guitarist Nigel Price, both of whom have a growing reputation on the UK jazz scene.

Ably supported by the Frank Toms Trio (Frank on piano, Elliot Toms on drums and Matt Ridley on bass), Vasilis and Nigel served up some delicious jazz in enormous helpings.

‘Love For Sale’ saw Vasilis on alto, taking the lead on the head and the first improv, with some very appealing guitar work from Nigel, whose tone and approach are very reminiscent of the great Kenny Burrell.

‘Sister Sadie’ was delivered in a very up-beat style, with Vasilis embroidering some pleasing solos work and Nigel showing what a fluid and dynamic player he is.

Changing mood and pace, Cannonball Adderley’s ‘The Old Country’ was a very evocative and moody number, showcasing Matt Ridley on bass and Vasilis on tenor sax on the opening, with plenty of lower registry work, before it blossomed into a medium-paced number with nice octave and block chord playing from Nigel. The empathy between the two guest players was very evident in the jazz waltz ‘All the Things You Are’ with subtle interplay between Vasilis’s tenor and Nigel’s skilful well-paced guitar solo.

‘Polka Dots and Moonbeams’ which featured Nigel , slipped into double time at the finish and segued into the rousing final number ‘Oleo’.

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