CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL REVIEW 2007 (Bryan Corbett Quartet).

As far as 24dash is concerned Herefordshire born Corbett is something of a local hero (his album "Pressure Valve" is reviewed elsewhere on this site) so it was great to see him play such a successful gig. Now based in Birmingham Corbett appeared with his regular working band featuring Levi French (keyboards), Ben Markland (bass) and drummer Neil Bullock. In keeping with the Jerwood ethos the programme consisted entirely of original material written mainly by Corbett plus one tune from the pen of French.

The Corbett quartet loosely play in a style influenced by the classic Blue Note albums of the 50's and 60's with the leader taking particular inspiration from his trumpet hero Freddie Hubbard. However, this is no mere recycling of the past, the band brings a distinctly contemporary attitude to the music and the energy and vitality of their playing, plus their tremendous technical ability makes them hugely popular with audiences.

They commenced with an arrangement of the title track from the album "Corbenova". That album marked Corbett's first foray into the world of "nu jazz" with it's samples, beats etc. He has since recorded two other albums in this vein-"Pressure Valve" and his latest release "Off The Cuff". Today we heard the hard bop version of the "Corbenova" theme with Corbett appearing on both trumpet and flugel. French shone with a sparkling piano solo and Corbett's brilliant trumpet solo was full of slurred notes and smears. Bullock and Markland interlocked to part replicate the beats of the album version.

"Be Bop Da" was in the classic hard bop/Blue Note vein with a furious bass pulse from Markland. French contributed another rippling solo. I usually hear him and Corbett in duo format at Leominster's tiny Blue Note bar, which is fine, but it was a treat to hear him on a proper grand piano playing to a listening audience. Unfortunately background noise can sometimes be a problem at the Blue Note but it remains a vital part of Herefordshire's live music scene.

"Psycho Spirit" from the new album "Off The Cuff" featured Corbett on flugelhorn and French on his new Nord keyboard contributing a Rhodes electric piano sound. The music built from quiet introductions to a funk groove and featured a stand out solo from Markland.

French's lovely ballad "Precious" featured an unaccompanied piano intro and Corbett's velvety tones on flugelhorn. The tune appears on the Corbett/French duo album "Live At Symphony Hall".

"O.M.F.H." was a dedication to Freddie Hubbard. With it's funk rhythms the music drew on Hubbard's fusion period in the seventies, particularly I suspect Hubbard's "Red Clay" and "Backlash" albums, both favourites of Corbett's. Corbett's trumpet playing was inspired and French contributed a wonderfully funky Rhodes solo. Markland a solid rhythm player and a dextrous soloist featured strongly again and the whole was lashed on by Bullock's powerful drumming. A player with strong rock influences Bullock was in his element here.

Finally came "Miles Around" or "So What, upside down and inside out" as French later put it. It incorporated further bravura solos from Corbett and French and some furious drum breaks from Bullock.

There is something about Cheltenham that seems to inspire musicians and the quartet were hot today with Corbett and French in outstanding form. Both delivered inspired solos throughout as did Markland when in the spotlight. A packed Pillar Room gave them a standing ovation but the necessarily tight scheduling prevented an encore. A triumph nevertheless and the CDs were flying off the shelves. Well done Bryan, and on the evidence of this material I'd say another quartet album is well overdue.