Jenny Barnes and Scott Tinkler and Ren Walters. Image by Tobias Titz.
Curated by Melbourne-based and internationally versed, Scott Tinkler, Bennett’s Lane Jazz Club’s ‘Hard Core on The Fly’, set out to challenge the notion of improvisation and allows melodic ideas to be broken down, woven together, loosely clung to, or swung from. On Thursday, the second performance of a month-long residency, the instrumental fruit bowl of musicians included Tinkler (Trumpet), Burr (Bass Clarinet), Veltheim (Violin), Walters (Guitar), Beck (Drums) and Barnes (Vocals). For two hours these established entities toyed with that notion that language is essentially a known string or cluster of sounds and explore ideas, textures and philosophies of sound.
Both Barnes and Burr fittingly wore work boots for the occasion. Walters, having fully discovered that his fret board generated ideas, often with the help of accessories (such as a paper clip and beads), ricocheted the ensemble in new directions. Beck came to the party early and as time passed settled into laying down a rhythmic foundation that gave weight to the sonic curiosity. The articulate and under-the-radar playing of Burr added gravity and depth to the ensemble as the ‘house of mirrors and sounds’ bounced back and forth, largely driven by Veltheim. Veltheim’s dexterity and close listening allowed him to ride on ideas and motifs seemingly instantaneously, establishing intoxicating duals, of note the provocative, non-western and intuitive vocal sounds by Barnes and feverish violin in the first set.
Tinkler took on a father figure role and could not help but command the stage. This was not a difficult gig for Tinkler. His efficiency, facility and attention to detail allowed him to cut through ideas cleanly and bring back a more old school idea that free jazz in not just energy transferred, but melody too.
All found their nook in the ensemble early on and were content to foster their identities through musical discussions that showed balance, control, purpose, coherence and aggression/passion for their craft. Never playing past each other, particularly Burr, all members were respectful of other voices being heard and showed enjoyment for the moments shared. As the ebb and flow of sound waded through, took force, conquered, retreated and resolved through the ether, for Barnes and Tinkler, their celebratory dance at the end of the gig showed the point – when the world is obsessed with the future and past, music reminds us that real joy is in the now.
Rating: 3 ½ out of 5 stars
Hard Core on the Fly: #2
Australian Art Orchestra with
Scott Tinkler: Trumpet
Anthony Burr: Clarinet
Erkki Veltheim: Violin
Ren Walters: Guitar
Dave Beck: Drums
Jenny Barnes: Vocals
Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne
www.bennettslane.com
Thursday 7, 14, 21 and 28 August
