Glaswegian drummer Corrie Dick’s musical imagination and desire to create music that speaks to the heart was abundantly clear on this Jazz Hastings tour date for his Sun Swells band. Fronted by the entrancing vocals of Swede Rebecka Edlund, deploying bird-like trills and whistles alongside spoken word and melodic lines of purity, the band offers a constant stream of uplifting sonic moments. Rob Luft’s sensitively judged effects and intricate playing, Laura Jurd’s lyrical trumpet and Elliot Galvin’s sinuous piano interwove over Dick’s drum narratives and the deep groove of Calum Gourlay’s double bass to captivate a full house happy to hear original music.
Every member of the youthful sextet clearly understood and was comfortable with their place in the music, perhaps the result of playing together in different contexts at the likes of Trinity Laban and the Royal Academy of Music in recent years.
The East Hastings Sea Angling Association at the Stade, east Hastings is among the UK’s most memorable jazz venues. Its elevated position on the shingle right by the Channel, with a balcony open to the southern sky, seemed a perfect setting for the Sun Swells music, whose lyrics often referred to the sea, wide vistas and natural beauty. Infused with Celtic, Nordic and, to my ear, African influences, pieces such as “Sinking”, “Golden Flower” and “She Speaks” were delivered not so much as individual tunes but as parts of a whole, with just the occasional announcement by Dick to break things up. Speaking without a mic, Dick was somewhat inaudible but the soundscapes, accessible grooves, sweeping chord changes, delicate but purposeful vocals did all the talking necessary.
This is a highly accomplished band with an array of influences voiced through each individual instrument and collectively via deeply felt, authentic composition and a profound sense of interplay.
LINE-UP
Corrie Dick: drums/ bandleader/compositions
Rebecka Edlund: vocals
Elliot Galvin: piano
Calum Gourlay: bass
Laura Jurd: trumpet
Rob Luft: guitar
FORTHCOMING TOUR DATES – FULL LIST
23/10/23: Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh
24/10/23: tbc, Glasgow
2/11/23: Worcester
16/1/24: Southampton Jazz Club
1/3/24: Crookes Social Club, Sheffield
13 responses
This band is out of this world! Loved every moment of the gig I attended in Cambridge. Corrie’s music is eclectic and wholesome, I’ve been enjoying the vinyl ever since.
Hi Sharon, thanks a lot for getting the vinyl. So glad you’re into it 🙂
Different lineup to Corrie’s band in Aberdeen, this one looks equally special. Must say that Norman Willmore’s contribution to the music on the gig up here was exceptional. The compositions are very unique and I found myself enjoying a vast array of new sounds. Favourite album of the year hands down.
Hi Angus, ah yes Norman is one of a kind – glad that others can see that too! Watch this space too – we’re working on a duo playing ancient music of our shared heritage in new ways. Some clips are available here: https://www.instagram.com/normanandcorrie/
What a f****** band! Glad to see Corrie’s coming back to Sheffield.
Thanks Tom! Can’t wait to come back to Sheffield, it’s always an excellent vibe.
Oh no I missed the London date! Please more please!
yeh that was a special gig #sorrynotsorry
Hey Elly, no worries I think another London date will be doable. Thanks for the encouragement!
Very cool lineup, Jurd x Dick x Galvin is always going to be magic. Glad to see Calum Gourlay is up to things again.
Hi Rosie, oh Calum is prolific really, but I’m glad to have pinched him! Here’s his website with more about what he’s up to: https://www.calumgourlay.net/
Heard ‘Sinking’ from this album on ABC Jazz (Auzzie radio)… sooooooo goooooood… but it doesn’t look like Corrie is bringing the band over here any time soon… One can hope…
Hi Vanessa, oh I’m glad the music is travelling well! I’ll put the feelers out, I’ve played in Melbourne before so it’s not impossible!