DAVID WAKEFIELD Dereham Jazz Society

DAVID WAKEFIELD

Gerry Salisbury, who helped found this club several years ago, returned from his new home in Spain to demonstrate that, although in his 75th year, the musical brain is as agile as ever, and the dry humour that is his hallmark shows no sign of slackening.

His roots go back to the British traditional jazz boom of the late 50s, when he played alongside George Melly; but Salisbury's soloing ability goes far beyond labels and he has the ability to play in many different jazz forms. He is a master of the musical “quote” – a device often used by jazzmen to insert lines from totally different tunes on top of the chord structure they are following at the time. Few do it better than Gerry, and he rose magnificently to the occasion.

Also on stage were Colin Watling, whose hard-driving tenor saxophone is a favourite around local clubs; plus Bob Dore on drums, and, on Hammond, Russell Williams, demonstrating that when this instrument is played properly it is one of the definitive jazz instruments.

The material was predictable – old favourites like Lover Man, My Funny Valentine and There Is No Greater Love – but no less enjoyable for that. A good-sized audience was kept enthralled by top-class jazz.