One of the most eagerly awaited things about the London Jazz Festival is what Ronnie Scott’s will have on their programme for the week. Of course, it’s the most famous club in the UK but they also provide such an intimate atmosphere to experience jazz – almost like you’ve been let in on a secret that no one else will get to experience.
Carmen Lundy has been on the scene for the last four decades. She has played with everyone from Robert Glasper to trombonist and conch player, Steve Turre and is widely respected in the instrumentalist community for contributing original songs to the jazz idiom.
She was featured in the Jazz Voice opening festival gala (reviewed here) and played 3 shows at Ronnie’s, sharing a wide range of her original music on the Sunday night. She shared personal stories or backgrounds behind some of her songs: The Island, The Sea and You being written after a trip to Hawaii and Jazz on TV being a ‘polite complaint’ about the fact that jazz isn’t broadcast on television anymore. She even played Good Morning Kiss, which was the title track from her first album, released in 1985! Stunning, groovy ballad that highlighted the rich, creamy textures of her voice.
Her band were incredible – Darryl Hall, probably the longest standing band member, was joined by Terreon Gully on drums. The two chordal instruments – piano and guitar – were featured heavily throughout the evening. Andrew Renfroe on guitar graduated from the Kennedy Center jazz program where Lundy taught was recruited due to his playing and Trevor Watkis, who is English but is based in NYC, happened to be in London to play these special shows.
Hearing so much original vocal jazz music that could have easily fit in with some of the ‘standard’ repertoire audiences are so used to was such a treat. Hopefully this secret will be one that Ronnie’s won’t keep to themselves, as having Lundy back again would be so amazing.
