The Vortex Jazz Club, 11 Gillett Square, London N16 8AZ | Bookings 020 7254 4097 | Email Info at Vortex

May 2009
gig reviews

Finn Peters
Tom Arthurs' Subtopia
Youn Sun Nah & Ulf Wakenius
Courtois/Courvoisier/
  Eskelin
Loz Speyer Timezone 'Cubailingual'
Mind and Time
La Poche à Sons
Emily Remembered
Real Book North West Quintet
Pete Hurt Quartet
Still Waters

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May 2009 gig reviews by Chris Parker

'Emily Remembered'

Thursday 21 May 2009

'Emily', of course, is Emily Remler, US guitarist (1957Ð90), an inspiration to both Deidre Cartwright and Kathy Dyson, who began the night's proceedings in duo format, revisiting Remler's arrangement (recorded on her 1988 Concord album East to Wes) of the great Romberg/Hammerstein standard 'Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise'.

Judicious use of harmonics in the theme set this version apart as something special, and then Cartwright and Dyson took it in turns to explore one of the most accommodating and immediately recognisable chord sequences in the music, the former with characteristic brio, all spangles and curlicues, the latter slightly more circumspect, humming softly along with her absorbing, elegant solo, as is her wont.

Jobim's 'How Insensitive' followed (Remler's version, incidentally, can be accessed on the web on YouTube), then vocalist Sarah P joined the guitarists for a touching tribute poem, recited over 'Afro Blue', another Remler favourite, subsequently singing a Pablo Neruda poem, 'Ode to a Seagull', to a tune written by Dyson.

The whole band (completed by bassist Alison Rayner and drummer Kenrick Rowe) then assembled on stage, and cruised enjoyably through the likes of Wes Montgomery's 'Four on Six' and – Remler's tribute to fellow guitarist Herb Ellis, who was extremely supportive in her early days – 'Blues for Herb'.

The rapport, manifest throughout the evening, between Cartwright and Dyson, was clearly both musical and personal, springing in part from the fact that, when they initially met in 1984, they were the country's only two professional women jazz guitarists, and now, 25 years on É you've guessed it. Given that each was inspired to soldier on in her profession by the late Emily Remler, it seems appropriate to direct aspiring players to her website: www.allthingsemily.com

 

 

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