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| Zoo at the Bonington - photo by Bob Meyrick |
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After wandering fruitlessly around Arnold for a short while, I eventually stumbled across the Bonington Theatre, neatly tucked away on top of a leisure centre. But what a find! Home to Jazz Steps – Nottingham’s definitive jazz connoisseurs – this is a delightful little venue: intimate, atmospheric, and ultimately the perfect spot to succumb to the wiles of the genre.
Introducing ZOO: a Derbyshire based quintet praised for their distinctive vocal approach and laid-back style. Arriving on stage with them was trumpet maestro Guy Barker; a collaboration that incites a delicious evening of fabulous music.
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| Guy Barker - photo by Bob Meyrick |
The unfortunate thing about jazz is that it’s highly personal; it either turns you on or it doesn’t, and I’m sorry to say that ZOO didn’t press the right buttons. Don’t get me wrong, these guys are undoubtedly amazing musicians, and boast that enviable talent where every instrument they touch becomes a natural extension of the body. There were just times where it seemed that every character was singing his own tune and thus, some moments reeked of an unfettered chaos that didn’t quite gel; in turn impacting on the depth of sound.
However, things did turn around in the second half of the evening when ZOO and guest, Barker, really began to cook. There was some stunning pieces that screamed seedy jazz club: swinging-hip grooves, rich harmonies and Barker’s trumpet growling over the top. Now maybe I’m just partial to a bit of smut, but it was such moments of unified sleaze that rendered me that little bit hot under the collar.
ZOO do showcase some exceptional musical capabilities and their approach to the jazz fusion genre offers an interesting blend of acoustics, electronics and vocal dominance. Even if it didn’t do it for me this time round, this is a group about which you should definitely make up your own mind.
ZOO with Guy Barker performed for Jazz Steps at the Bonington Theatre in Arnold on Thursday 13 August 2009.
Photos courtesy of Bob Meyrick (c)
