the nz international jazz festival is on in christchurch
some appealing performers are in town to strut their stuff
i've always wanted to see nathan haines so tonight is the night
mainly because he is performing at the glorious james hay theatre
one of the best (if not...) venues around for sit-down music
i bought my ticket on the day and scored a great seat
front-row in the dress circle looking down on the stage
which is quite close due to the fine design of this theatre
i got there quite early so there were mostly empty seats around me
waited for them to fill up but no go and the band are soon on stage
first thoughts are the low-key start means it's a support act
but not so - the man himself on sax and a 4 piece band
jazz guitarist, grand/electric pianist, electric bass and drums
i'm quite excited by the sense of ocassion and settle in
looking forward to the promise of some exciting contemporary jazz
the first piece is quite pleasant and seems a good warm-up
nathan is very polite between songs thanking us and the organisers
swings into another tune that similarly gets along quite nicely
introduces a male singer with a sweet voice to add to the mix
6 or 7 tunes are rolled out and before we know it, it's intermission
which makes for quite a short set and a break in proceedings
which i must admit mostly i find quite annoying
but it's a big night out for most and the chance to mingle
i walked the crowd looking for any obvious visiting jazz affecianados
conclusion - nope - all locals and of the 'jazz - nice' set - nevermind
i take my seat for the second set and hope for some grit
maybe the first half is just to placate the safe crowd
i know he can do it - seen documentaries, read the program
there is no doubt nathan haines is a very talented man
plays saxaphone, clarinet and flute with confidence and style
can write a tune or 2 and can obviously put together a band and lead them
seems quite comfortable in front of a large crowd on a big stage
will carry a band member needing constant guidance (drummer)
and has a choice of material that can mix up a set
tonight there is a good mix of covers and originals
instrumentals and sung pieces, piano and guitar solos
gives and asks for encouragement for various band members
but in this case...a reminder to me of a fine line that exists
between jazz musicians of ample skill and experience
and those that carve out a unique place in this musical world
thus able to excite and arouse and demand attention
tonight nathan haines set up shop as mr safe and reliable
and promised to cross the line but didn't quite make it
though in a couple of later tunes i felt a great connection
as the band hooked into a solid jazz-rock-funk feel and let fly
but in the end i thought they couldn't get off the stage quick enough
and the audience seemed very content to let them go
i also left the scene fairly quickly and pondered
wouldn't have missed the night at all
but there was something missing
a venue/audience/performer thing maybe
the edge factor - not there - damnit
