Grandfather of jazz never disappoints

IF THERE was a sense of coolness in the Central Hall that was all right; it wasn't the mood but the fine music led by the grandfather of our local jazz scene.

I doubt if anyone knows how many times Leo Solomon has played the venue but his popularity never fades and he never disappoints.

Sonnymoon For Two, a recent composition by Sonny Rollinson for his 80th birthday celebration, ensured a lively and swinging start.

A change of tempo followed with Lullaby For Elise, a nice gentle almost romantic number that gradually intensified.

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Then it was all change again with Hymn To Freedom, which, for me, proved the highlight of the night with its bluesy, Negro-spiritual feel and the inspiration of Martin Luther King's Civil Rights Movement.

A new one for Leo, his first public performance, and he asked Pete Barnaby and Kevin Rogers, on double bass and drums, to let him start on his own and then just see what they could do. I don't know if it was intentional or accidental, but that was precisely how Oscar Peterson composed the track in the recording studio exactly 50 years ago.

It worked then and it worked now; a hallmark of good musicians working and playing in harmony with each other.

Tangerine and Bye Bye Blackbird were among the sprinkling of familiar jazz treats and Billie's Bounce, from the Charlie Parker stable, brought the evening to a close.

It was another blues-tinted composition and offered our final chance to savour the finesse of the trio's individual members.

Trevor Ekins