browne hannaford anning trio

complex, simple, aggressive, delicate, triumphal, dazzling, acerbic and engaging
so read the writeup from sima for this melbourne trio
on tonight at the sound lounge - part 1 of a 3 part series
a personal plan to get to see 3 trios over 3 nights this weekend
there is something quite engaging about a group of 3
jazz, rock, blues, alternative - whatever the genre
an equality and inter-dependence the factors at work
like a 3-legged stool - take one away and down it comes
well a simplistic theory and better analysed by those more qualified
i just know that musically when it works it works really well
so if this outfit can deliver on the promise it will be memorable
alan browne is a legendary figure in the australian jazz scene
has established labels, lectured, toured internationally, supported locally
mentors, teaches, records, writes poetry, books and music
has a permanent monday night residency at bennetts lane
i've never seen him in action so tonight i'm parked in front of his drumkit
both he and his band are given a reverential introduction by the m c
the word most memorably used to describe them is formidable
in the middle of the stage is award-winning bass player sam anning
over the left on the beautiful yamaha c7 piano is marc hannaford
as they work their way into the first tune the promise seems real
it strikes me they are playing structured music with confidence
this is not improvised or as often is the case based on skills and sheet music
each knows precisely what each other is doing and how it all locks together
the musical ball being tossed around a bit as each member is highlighted
alan browne himself with a kit that may well have been with him for 40 years
there's no doubt he loves playing and it seems also so with this outfit
they also seem in a bit in awe of his presence and visually deferring to him
he assumes role of spokesman and takes time between tunes to talk to us
graciously thanks his hosts, his band and his audience and moves on
this and his music means i find myself transported over the next few tunes
a feeling that i am witnessing a quite classic form of jazz music
confirmed by the back announcements of the composers they are referencing
thelonious monk, duke ellington, louis armstrong, bud powell amongst them
at times the music is gentle, melodic and with a beautiful piano sound
marc hannaford without fuss demonstrating classic (classical?) style
sam anning anchoring things precisely or using the bow to great effect
alan's browne quite loud drumming dominating when he fires up
his style and proximity almost drowning out the other music
but this is ok for someone like me who embraces volume and noise
the end of the first set confirming that the now full house is also happy
in the second set there are 2 tunes that stood out amongst the others
a quite moving, beautiful rendition of an ella fizgerald tune titled solitude
and another duke ellington piece entitled black and tan fantasy
allan browne happy to acknowledge his love of this one after 40 years
and for me equally happy to be given a lesson in classic jazz
it's a long, structured piece that heads off into a blues feel
at the conclusion there are 3 very happy musicians on stage
and an audience that has been witness to some superb music
the aforementioned program writeup pretty well spot-on
complex, simple, aggressive, delicate, triumphal, dazzling, acerbic and engaging