This was not just a really special evening of music, it was a happy occasion too. At World Heartbeat in Nine Elms, the music is so close you’re almost in it. No, I’ll correct that: you *are* in it (*) … almost guiltily close. Nick Costley-White’s album launch had a particularly intimate feel, even for this compact hall. This was like an extended family gathering with a supportive group of fans, friends and well-wishers -and real atmosphere.
And there were more miracles too, as in ‘pinch yourself, can this really be happening?’ What are the chances of getting both bassist Conor Chaplin and drummer James Maddren together these days in a tiny venue in London. European bandleaders know how just good these two are, so both are in constant demand, normally to be found criss-crossing the continent, playing with all sorts of bands at the highest level. But they’re both here. Tonight. In this small room in SW11.
To this fine rhythm pairing, add the jaw-droppingly magisterial saxophonist Julian Siegel, who has the consummate craft and gutsy presence of sound of a Chris Potter, but also the will’o’the’wisp elusiveness of a Tony Coe or a Stan Sulzmann. And they are all here for a good purpose: to bring the guitarist’s compositions to life, to be tested by his writing, to spark each other off. Maybe that’s the story. All freelance musicians face competing demands, but there are some events which go firmly into diaries because they are artistically and creatively worthwhile, the whole thing is happening at such a high level, these top musicians want to commit and put themselves to the test. It definitely felt like one of those evenings.
A highlight from the concert which definitely stays in the mind was the penultimate number “Noites no porao” (nights in the basement, probably best not to ask…) Hermeto-ish. Joyous. Smiles all round, right through the number. There’s a happy connection to the past which Nick Costley White mentions: it reminds him of Saturday lessons as a teenager with an inspiring teacher at the Centre for Young Musicians, just a mile or so away at Morley College.
And other, stronger impressions too: in particular how varied and interesting Nick Costley-White’s craft as a composer is. He gives harmonic interest and colour to everything he has written. Julian Siegel gives us the melody with persuasive shape and flow – and ridiculously clean tuning, and Nick Costley-White has instantly framed it, jewel-cased it with descriptive and unexpected harmony. That happened particularly in a new tune called ‘Material’.
One final thought : when music is so near, and is being invented, created, crafted, confected live in front of us….when we can witness quite how responsive, alive and in-the-moment musicians working at this level are….I start to ask a question: why would you want to be anywhere else? Viagogo, just take a hike. No I’m not paying £180 for a standing place in a vast stadium to hear Ed Sheeran. For a music-loving, listening audience, these are surely the ideal circumstances, and this might be the ideal place go out and listen to music.
(*) I tried to convey this when I reviewed one of the very first concerts at the venue in early 2023.
