Gig Review: Julian Siegel Live at Ronnie Scott’s

‘Tales from the Jacquard’ with full jazz orchestra

A follow-up to last month’s album review by Hilary Seabrook

The tiny stage of Ronnie Scott’s has held some giants of the jazz world over the years and several of the leading players of the current UK scene were on stage (or in the audience) as sax player Julian Siegel brought his latest album – ‘Tales from the Jacquard’ – to life.

Sitting at the bar alongside the sound and light desks gives the best view and there was lots of excitement for this gig – particularly as the line-up included UK stalwarts of jazz in the UK alongside band leader, composer and tenor supremo Julian Siegel.

To Siegel’s right was Stan Sulzmann, who really has appeared with anyone who’s anyone, with a fabulous lineup in the rest of the reeds – Tori Freestone, Mike Chillingworth, Paul Booth and Gemma Moore. They all shared the stage individually and as a section in this extraordinary collection of tracks that were inspired by the Jacquard machines of the UK Midlands’ lace-making industry.

Rare as a full trombone section is, the fine one gathered by Siegel included Mark Nightingale, Trevor Mires, Harry Brown and Richard Henry, who occasionally wheeled out the tuba for some extra push at the bottom of the range.

A classy trumpet section squeezed in behind the trombones – Tom Walsh, Percy Pursglove, Steve Fishwick and Claus Stotter.

These are big names in UK jazz, and the rhythm section similarly satisfied, with Mike Outram on guitar, Liam Noble on piano, Old Hayhurst switching better double and electric bass, plus extraordinary drummer Gene Calderazzo.

In front of the whole jazz orchestra and holding it together in the face of complex and fluid lines of ‘Tales from the Jacquard’ was Nick Smart, Head of Jazz at the Royal Academy of Music.

The album is worth a listen and if you ever have the chance to see the whole orchestra in performance, it will provide a treat. Julian Siegel has composed a selection of tracks that somehow evoke the lace-making industry that was his family’s heritage.  Each tune is varied and the players gathered together by Siegel perform them with aplomb and style.

Hilary Seabrook

February 2023

Photocredit: Robert Crowley

Julian Siegel