ted vining has the reputation of being somewhat of an innovator
the afternoon began with his very cool 3 piece the impressions trio
one hour later and that trio is back on stage and now augmented
2 brass players and an additional double bass player now on stage
bob sedergreen has done a 90 degree adjustment to take up electric piano
most interesting about this lineup is the double double bass configuration
as the band was introduced it was announced this was a last minute thing
there was supposed to be a trombone player (simon kent) on stage
but for some reason he could not make it and so ted vining got inventive
went off in another direction and instead filled out the rhythm section
mid afternoon on a quite hot saturday and there's a full house
their record label (birdland) have set up 3 cameras to record the event
so everything is in place for what promises to be a memorable hour
same as before the band kicks in very confidently from the start
dominating the sound is the electric piano at the hands of bob sedergreen
ted vining almost obscured but no doubt quite busy at the back
a very tight and nicely harmonising brass section - sax and trumpet
the double bass department working also in unison very comfortably
which was what held my attention for a lot of the set
having only ever seen a single double-bass player on stage
i had come to believe that mostly they played by feel
always impressively all over their instruments
free to improvise at will as long as the rhythm was there
but today i witnessed 2 players clearly very well rehearsed
almost always playing the same lines but with no cross-reference
which meant there was a solid, rich, fluent rhythm underpinning it all
peter harper on alto sax made the most of all this and let rip
some long, energetic and impressive solos at various times
on more than one occasion leaving him visibly breathless
ian dixon on trumpet also giving his all to the sound
more content i felt to lend harmonies to his foil on sax
i can't recall recognising any tune in particular
though there was a lot of variety in the tunes and delivery
afterwards i had the opportunity to exchange words with ted vining
back at the cd stall where i mentioned the unique lineup
his retort being that he loved the double double bass
would always use it if he had the choice
so we were very lucky to witness it
hope there's a dvd to follow
