Here is Roys review of last nights magical concert by John Etheridge and Chris Garrick: JOHN ETHERIDGE AND CHRIS GARRICK AT No.1. Two giants of the world of jazz took centre stage at No.1, Shakespeare Street on Wednesday evening when the eclectic combination of guitarist John Etheridge and violinist Chris Garrick thoroughly engaged the audience with a concert of such outstanding quality that it must rank as the gig of the year. John Etheridge is an exceptionally gifted and innovative player, described by Pat Metheny as “one of the best guitarists in the world”. His background ranges from swinging with Stephane Grappelli, playing jazz/rock/fusion with the legendary Soft Machine and recreating the music of Frank Zappa. His concerts with Nigel Kennedy and classical guitarist John Williams have been widely acclaimed and confirm John Etheridge’s approach to his craft which refuses to accommodate or even acknowledge artificial musical boundaries. Chris Garrick began violin at the age of five progressing to London’s Royal Academy of Music between 1989 and 1994 gaining first-class honours in his Performer’s Degree also winning the DipRAM in his post-graduate year. He has since attained his teaching diploma and is now an Associate of the Royal Academy. His interest in jazz was nurtured by his father Michael, the renowned jazz pianist/composer, and by regularly attending Music Camps at The Stables at Wavendon, which resulted in a life-long friendship with Sir John Dankworth and Dame Cleo Laine. Sir John said of Chris “he could easily emerge as one of the great jazz violinists of all time”. The association of John Etheridge and Chris Garrick has lasted for some thirty years and the range and complexity of sounds that emanate from the basic format of guitar/violin duo continues to astonish. The programme started and finished with classic ‘Hot Club of France’ numbers but there was so much more in between, for this duo can seamlessly switch from ‘Hot Club’ mode into a more contemporary idiom. The audience was treated to a feast of music ranging from some little known composers to classics from Duke Ellington, Pat Metheny and Abdullah Ibrahim – even the Tennessee Waltz found its way on the agenda which may appear naff in a jazz club but this is a duo that can pick up any tune and make it work. Gorgeous music! Magical interplay from a duo that stunned with its range and vitality. Hard to pick highlights but I will be haunted by the sounds that evoked the Brazilian rainforest in Luis Bonfa’s Gentle Rain and the rendition of Morricone’s bitter sweet theme to Ocinema Paridiso was a joy. It is not often that a Stratford Jazz audience demands two encores but for this remarkable duo it was thoroughly deserved. Stratford Jazz at No.1 meets for its ‘New Year Special’ concert on Wednesday, 7th January when Alan Barnes and Bruce Adams front the Tom Hill trio. This is always a sell-out concert and more details can be found by visiting stratfordjazz.org.uk Roy Stevens – 11/12/2014.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Dec 2014 09:05:07 +0000