Nigel Kennedy, with musicians Jarek Smietana (acoustic guitar), Yaron Stavi (double bass) and Krzysztof Dziedzic (drums), performed at Leeds Town Hall yesterday in what was a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining evening.
The show was part of Kennedy’s tour of the UK after the release of Recital, his newest album.
Last time he was performing in Leeds, today’s students were still in pre-school – so his first appearance in over 15 years added to this special occasion.
Kennedy had said before this tour: “Playing Bach and Fats Waller on one show is a dream for me – two amazing keyboard players, both masters of harmony and melody.” And the music was indeed incredible, with his energy, inventiveness and imagination mixing well with some almost slapstick activity employed brilliantly throughout. Each performer did splendidly and, in turn, the audience had a magnificent night.
There were hints of South-American and European music, which were complimented by the superb acoustics of the venue and the bright pink, red and blue colours around the auditorium. The age-mix was perfect; one might have been forgiven for expecting the music wouldn’t appeal to the student population before the event, but Kennedy is so wonderfully different and mesmerising. He is classically trained and his technical ability right up to scratch, but he gradually made the transition from classical to jazz throughout his career, with this embracing of modern music appealing across such a large range of audience members.
And the audience clapped, cheered and laughed during the evening – the latter not necessarily conventional with musical performances but a credit to Kennedy’s cooky, energetic persona nonetheless.
As one of the world’s most established classical and jazz musicians of the age, the majority of yesterday’s audience might well have been in attendance primarily to see Kennedy himself. But on the double bass, Yaron Stavi’s skill adds to the overall intense, fast-paced and exciting night of pure fun.
And Smietana’s acoustic guitar showing illustrated how the group have evidently devoted an enormous amount of time and consideration to every detail, expertly achieving this whimsical quality – the end result a very satisfying, cohesive performance.
Kennedy will be performing in Malvern, London and Oxford in the coming weeks – and after yesterday’s showing, they are certainly worth a watch.