It's all about the Music

As a student I struggled between the analysis of music and the enjoyment of it. In fact, by my second year of college I felt that I hated music, all types of music, especially jazz, my major. I attribute it to a 'listening overload'! My brain couldn't handle it. With that, and realizing that high school had not prepared me for the intensity and level of musicianship that other first-year students already had, I felt like the underdog who could not figure out their place. Not only did I feel inferior, but I started to question what type of music I actually liked. It has taken me a long time to accept that it is not a bad thing to be selective in the type/s of jazz I enjoy. Or even the type of music I enjoy. I am now constantly looking for something that I personally feel is worth my time to sit and listen to. Not that other music is not good, but I have become selfish in my taste, and I want to feel good when I listen to music. With that being said, I can truly say that there is no bias opinion of the following review of a colleague of mine.

Last Wednesday evening a few friends and I went to The Mahogany Room to listen to The Lee Gold Collective. Lee Gold, on vocals, lead her band with such poise and a relaxed confidence. Her clean, yet sultry voice scatting on only a few songs, leaving space for the rest of the band to take solos, of which each member featured adequately. The whole band is made up of accomplished musicians. Session drummer and music producer, Mike Horne played with such passion and precision, elegantly switching rhythms between a bossa, light swing and faster rhythm-changes feel.   Pianist and composer Andrew Ford comped away with such a light touch on the baby-grand piano, and looked so relaxed even when playing intricate solos. Wesley Rustin played burning double-bass lines and the finishing touch was guest artist (and co-owner of The Mahogany Room) Lee Thomson on Flugelhorn and trumpet.

The arrangements were stunning, and the choice of songs perfect for the small venue, making the whole gig not only listenable but interesting from start to finish. The only damper, was the sound, that crackled from time to time.

What could be better than listening to great music on a hot Cape Town summers evening (although The Mahogany Room has air conditioning, which was a bonus!).  Even though this gig was one of two that are to launch Lee Gold's website, you could not help but feel that this gig was not about the musicians as individuals, but it was all about the music.