It wasn’t until this evenings show that I was aware of the Inn Lodge having a monthly jazz night and having arrived at the hotels reception and being directed to the executive suite (ie one of the venues function rooms) the fact there was a concert would have easily gone unnoticed, however several rows of chairs and an audience of no more than around seventy in attendance greeted me and it was time for the nights’ performance.
The first track was the obligatory introduction of each of the band, as with many jazz concerts gradually allowing each member to take a solo followed by the polite applause of the audience. The night was then made up of two sets, both focusing on artists such as Keith Jarrett along with a classic Dave Brubeck piece and a couple composed by our leader for this evening, Ray D’Inverno.
The chilled nature of the evening made for a warm atmosphere, D’Inverno interjecting stories between the music whilst the band performed somewhere between traditional and modern Jazz, rather than delving into fusion or the avant-garde areas of the genre making it more accessible for those listening.
This therefore also showed the quality of musicianship, they may not have performed all the pieces together previously but it was the subtle yet complex playing of both the drummer and double bass that allowed the horns and pianist freedom for their creativity.
Jazz may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for those of you that appreciate it or just fancy somewhere slightly different for a relaxing night of music, then the Portsmouth Jazz Society have a hidden gem on offer in a venue that otherwise you’d probably not really have any reason to visit, so the next event in June (Steve Fishwick Quintet) will definitely be worth supporting.
