La Havana Jazz Club sessions – Coastguard Studio
Rhythm Earth
The first couple of La Havana Jazz Club sessions at the Coastguard Studio sold out months in advance. Highlighting the underground jazz night has already become a welcome addition to the live music scene in Portsmouth.
This evenings performance with Rhythm Earth and Tim Whitehead is no different. Even if the headliner was a last minute replacement, the music was so good that it didn’t seem to worry anyone.
As the dry ice pumped out, Rhythm Earth played 3 tracks before the nights guest saxophonist took to the stage. The first number was a fairly standard piece, with the last being slightly more “out there”. Sandwiched in the middle though was an unexpected interpretation of a track originally by the Smiths.
La Havana Jazz Club sessions – Tim Whitehead
Tim Whitehead
The tunes without the sax player were also a good introduction to what was to follow, a touch of contemporary with a few more curveballs along the way. While there may have been a couple of people still talking when Tim Whitehead came on, you could still hear every breathe. Then after a handful of solo notes, Rhythm Earth joined in as his backing band for the night.
The combination was still tight, considering the house band aren’t necessarily used to playing with the main act. Each member of the group knows when to come in and drop out, occasionally being conducted by the man himself. As for the saxophone playing, Tim Whitehead was superb.
When it was time for other members to take the lead, he’d gently fade into the background. Yet very much the focal point when it mattered. Among others, the night saw renditions of tracks made popular by Herbie Hancock, as well as a loose jam based around Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”.
It wasn’t just about the music either, the response from the crowd was that of appreciation, with an atmosphere any jazz venue would be proud of. As for the next La Havana Jazz Club, if you’re thinking of getting tickets, best get in there quick to avoid disappointment.
La Havana Jazz Club sessions – Tim Whitehead
