Live
Tribute to (drummer) Chris Dagley: Ronnie Scotts 20/09/10
Ronnie Scotts was alive with a vast array of british jazz stars who came out in large numbers to pay tribute to the late drummer extraordinaire Chris Dagley. Hosted by the ever genial James Pearson, the night proved to be exhilarating and a fitting homage to "Daggers" (a world class drummer who will be sorely missed)
Pearson kicked the non stop jazz merriment off with a terrific version of Ellington's 'Caravan' and tore up his piano solo like a whirling dervish, setting the scene nicely for Claire Martin's slick delivery ably backed up by veteran thumb stroking guitarist Jim Mullen, drummer Ian Thomas, Bassist Laurence Cottle and pianist Gareth Williams.
A tender moment too when Ian Shaw sang with Claire- Stevie's 'Knocks Me Off My Feet' two divas doing what they do! riveting stuff! The evening was fastly developing an energy all of its own as guest after guest piled onto the hallowed stage.
Salena Jones reinforced the saying "form is temporary, class is permanent" with a truly moving version of 'Everything Must Change' a classic evocative ballad with the refrain "winter turns to spring a wounded heart will heal but never much too soon, yes everything must change". Says it all really........
Surprise guest of the evening had to be Rick Astley but king of the guilty pleasures acquitted himself admirably with some welcome crooning on 'Fly Me To The Moon' complete with a sostenuto segue into 'Under My Skin'. Rick's rich voice really suited the idiom and if I was some record exec I'd definately sign him up to do a jazz album, nice one mr Astley!
Next up the indefatigable Lianne Carroll who took proceedings up another gear with her soulful singing and creamy scatting. A unique version of 'That Ole Black Magic' really rocked the house brought on no doubt by her sturdy New Orleans style piano playing, what a talent this gal is all heart, believe me!
The stars kept coming like a meteorite shower, Jamie Callum grooved on 'Come Together' and their was some gospel tinged moments with soul singer Natalie Williams providing a cool yin to mr Callum's yang! Jamie's restrained and studied approach went down well(the jerry lee lewis antics weren't on display unfortunately) just thoughtful introspection"I don't mind the grey clouds because they're just passing by" sang Callum giving rise to much positivity that seemed to fill the night.
It was good to see half of level 42 too (well the old lineup anyway). Mike Lindup and old cohort Phil Gould on drums delivered some fine funk fusion aided by some fine chunky funky guitar courtesy of Tim Stone and singer Sumadu Jayatilaka shone during a fitting rendition of Bill Wither's 'Lean On Me'. This new offshoot should be coming your way soon and well worth checking out.
Highlight of the evening was undoubtedly Miss Carleen Anderson who brought a tear to many whilst singing her eulogy to Chris that cut straight to the heart with the lyric "If this was a perfect world Chris Dagley would still be owning the stage and amazing us all with the way that he played." Carleen soared with the angels and knocked people dead with her exceptionally moving song.
Many others performed, Phil Cater Chris's first drum teacher played and amused us with little stories about the budding boy drummer, Ray Gelato was good fun too goading the crowd into singing and spreading some swinging fun. Adding glamour to the evening the beautiful Lizzie Ball dug hard on her violin and the stunning Heather Hoyle blew up a storm on tenor sax on the Piazolla composition. Riveting stuff!
So there you have it his colleagues played their socks off providing a fantastic evening and a wonderful send off for Chriswho will be remembered as an enormous talent and a much loved man and truly an inspiration to us all.
Words Emrys Baird
