An absolute treat for Edinburgh: four musicians from the London scene at the top of their game. And to hear them in a small venue such as the Traverse, with the energy and excitement palpable, being so close to the music…it’s a privilege.
Nick Costley-White, touring in support of his latest album Poncha, brought his recording-mates Julian Siegel, Conor Chaplin and James Maddren – “my dream team of instrumentalists” as he called them in a UKJN interview – to the small stage squeezed into the corner of the venue. Chaplin hidden away a bit at the back, at least from my front row seat… Siegel and his saxophone centre stage…Costley-White leading from the left… Maddren driving from the right.
Costley-White said that they tend to prefer a looser approach, giving the band freedom, trusting each other rather than over-rehearsing. Several dates into their UK tour, they took that freedom and ran with it. Their familiarity with the music and with each other let them roam widely.
Many of the pieces on Poncha are based on Latin rhythms, but played with such fluid flexibility, it all has a convincing and natural feel.
The real sense of connection between these musicians was clear. Maddren and Chaplin shared glances and smiles, relishing each others playing. When not soloing himself, Siegel would step to the back of the stage…to listen to the others’.
