John Jorgenson Quintet Live @ The Purcell Room

A weekend of art has bestowed itself upon me. Saturday night at The Roxy, Borough High St saw an evening of new-wave Russian documentaries being shown on the back wall. Despite occasional, experimental, soundtrack overload, the two-year-old boy discovering his reflection in a mirror and a white cat with a classic love of string provided great imagery.

To gaze upon this particular wall, at this particular time, cost nothing - pictures for free, you could say...

Sunday night at the South Bank Centre brought an amusing walk towards the river. Life-size figures stood on building ledges, as if about to make the leap of faith. This public work of art by Antony Gormley entitled 'Event Horizon' is also free-to-see, if your eyes happen to notice that is...

Once inside the Purcell Room the John Jorgenson Quintet made there silent entrance from behind the curtain and into the blue & orange spotlights. Every instrument reflected a brilliant colour into the eyes of the audience. From two rows back the gap between two Gypsy Jazz enthusiasts in front of me framed the band perfectly, giving me a wonderful view of the excitement on-stage.

It's a fiery, chest-strutting sound that comes from this band. Jorgenson's own composition, La Journee des Tziganes (Day of the Gypsies) demonstrated incredible technique and control from every band member. "Now, this is a fast one, so listen quick" he announced. I'm sure most of the ears in the audience kept pace but following John's fingers proved a challenge to capture with eyes.

Short, sharp stabs of staccato licks were unfortunately mirrored by long-nailed fingers owned by a South Bank Centre official; "Photos are NOT allowed." Well, that'll learn me... I'll tell you what I learned in that moment - the freedom of the Gypsy Music which the entire room had come to WATCH had been hampered.

Much attention to detail had been ensured that the sound of the band was as they and the audience would enjoy most. Incredible volume changes fluctuated through many of the songs. A pocket dictaphone would do no justice to the massive range of audible brilliance that the band displayed.

Much attention to detail had been ensured that the visual stimulation of the show was to both the band and audience's liking. I believe I've mentioned the lights and the colour of the intruments, alongside this the band themselves dressed with consideration for the show's look & feel. My pocket camera would do no justice to the experience of sitting in my seat. It will, however, enable me to take a small, personal momento home with me so that I may remember this experience with more depth.


Ghost Dance:
Given that he dedicated one number to Sylvia Rushbrooke, I'm sure John would have spent at least one evening this week in Le Quecumbar where John is a patron and Sylvia has built a permanent home for this style of music. There the free spirit of Django's improvisation is encouraged, both by playing and watching. There one may record Gypsy Jazz jams with vintage tape-to-tape devices, take photos or film. The management's fiery taps belong not to their fingers but their toes. There the liberating traditions of the gypsies have not been replaced by rules as stiff as the bronze statues on the roof...

John's website features plenty of good media & you can even buy a T-Shirt of the quintet.