Global Swing: Cambridge Modern Jazz

By Jean Szlamowicz I Jul. 21, 2017

Lauren Kinsella (second from left) performs at Cambridge Modern Jazz.
(Photo: @David Hone)

The fabric of jazz has always relied on independent programmers. Whether restaurant, bar, club or concert hall owners, these innovative individuals should be credited for keeping jazz alive at a local level. Sometimes, they don’t even have a venue, and instead use agreements with clubs who give them the freedom to create their own musical sphere, blending their tastes to the environment. As a mostly student-populated town close to London, Cambridge is surprisingly devoid of major jazz clubs. But Cambridge Modern Jazz is an organization that fills that void.

CMJ was founded in 1972 and currently runs its operations from a lounge bar called Hidden Rooms in Jesus Lane, a dark and cosy cellar in an old Victorian Roman bath house. Ionic columns greet you grandly before you head downstairs to get your dose of jazz in a warm setting with fine cocktails.

Eclecticism is the motto of the house, a fact that programmers David Gower and John Blandford will be quick to point out, listing previous appearances by such artists as Greg Osby, Charlie Wood and Tim Garland. In June and July, I was able to catch three shows that demonstrate such variety.

Photo of Cambridge Jazz
Cambridge Modern Jazz runs its operations from a lounge bar called Hidden Rooms in Jesus Lane. (Photo: Courtesy CMJ)

Early on, vocalist Lauren Kinsella presented her very personal singing style, which evokes a blend of Norma Winstone and Annette Peacock, with a hint of Abbey Lincoln and Joni Mitchell. Her poetic lyrics blend with improvised passages whose lyrical quality is very distinctive. The dynamics tend to fall into the same floating and ethereal atmospheres that shy away from blues, swing or anything too greasy, but at least there’s a risk-taking attitude to the music that keeps it interesting, especially with Tom Challenger on tenor to beef up the band.

The double-saxophone quartet of Alex Hitchcock (tenor saxophone) and Tom Barford (tenor and soprano saxophones) started out with a Tristano-esque flavor on “Wow” and developed a music that always retained a melodic approach however angular it chose to be. The influence of Mark Turner and Joe Lovano was noticeable, though Hitchock had a broader tone and Barford played with a more compact sound. Despite a certain lack of warmth, they kept up a melodic approach and Barford presented two excellent compositions.

The best concert was undeniably pianist Chris Ingham’s vibrant and moving homage to Dudley Moore, the comic actor, pianist and violinist. Interspersed with comments and storytelling, the concert was a sprightly and spirited affair with lots of swing and 1960s jazz-bossa nova. The addition of Paul Higgs on trumpet gave another dimension to what was originally trio music, adding brisk colors and melodic sensitivity somewhere between Sweets Edison, Art Farmer and Kenny Dorham.

Photo of Chris Ingham
Chris Ingham (Photo: @Peter Davies)

Chris Ingham has a warm and generous way with music, his own blend of Oscar Peterson, George Shearing and Errol Garner with a dash of Monty Alexander. His style is based on rhythmic presence and dynamic propulsion, and his soloing, like Higgs’, was focused, enthusiastic and tasteful. Since the tunes have rarely ever been covered, it was quite refreshing to discover what felt like familiar and yet never-before-heard compositions, some with a touch of melancholy, others witty ditties with challenging harmonic twists. Their album Dudley displays the same genial spirit.

Cambridge Modern Jazz seems to have a lot more in store, with tenor Dave O’Higgins or vocalist Nicole Henry visiting next season, showing a continued élan devoted to keeping jazz alive in its many forms. DB