When Andy Hamilton passed away last year it ended a
truly incredible career that began way back in 1928 when he formed his first
band in his native Jamaica. In the intervening years he went on to act as Errol
Flynn’s musical arranger before ending up in Birmingham, working in a factory
by day then playing jazz at night. In the 70’s he promoted some of Steel Pulse’s
first gigs, helping to usher in a new era of roots reggae, as well as
encouraging many internationally famous jazz bands and solo stars to play Birmingham
and, in later years, his newly adopted home of Bearwood. In 1986 he nearly died
from diabetes but not only went on to make a remarkable recovery but, at the
tender age of 73, also recorded his debut album, Silvershine, which became the UK’s
biggest selling Jazz Album of the Year in 1991. Over the next 20 years or so he
carried on playing, almost until the very end, with weekly gigs in Bearwood, monthly
shows at Birmingham Symphony Hall and a regular slot at the prestigious Mostly
Jazz, Funk and Soul Festival. Now, just a couple of days after what would have
been his 95th birthday, an impressive line up of past Blue Notes
musicians (the band he formed back in 1953 and fronted for the next 60 years),
family and friends gathered at the club named in his honour last year to pay
tribute to one of jazz’s true legends.
Over the course of 3 hours the core Blue Notes band
was joined by a series of guest artists including Steve Ajao and Alvin Davis (both pictured above), two
of the UK’s leading sax symbols, with (amongst others) Roy Forbes and Kevin
McCann on vocals, the nattily behatted Johnny Hoo on drums and (just a year or
two younger) a kid called Aiden. At just 12 (I think...) he’s one of many
younger players that Andy continued to encourage and, judging by his seemingly
effortless style of drumming, it’s pretty clear that Andy’s legacy is in safe
hands (more on that later by the way).
Highlights came thick and fast
throughout the evening, with a mellow selection of tracks early in proceedings
giving way to some pretty funky stuff as the night got its groooooooooooove on.
Part one saw some stunning playing from one of Andy’s long time collaborators Dutch
Lewis (the dude seems to be able to play anything that you blow...flute, sax,
clarinet, whistle...you name it) and Steve Ajao, whilst Vic Evans took to the
mic to pour that uniquely oaked voice of his all over some of Andy’s favourite
tunes.
I swear that man could sing a tax return and make it sound like the most
beautiful thing in the world. Meanwhile on keyboards Tim Amann (also tonight’s musical
arranger) drove the whole thing along in fine style, dishing up some
wonderfully intricate flavours and providing all the other musicians with the
perfect canvases for their solo slots. Part two lifted the pace with Vic Evans
getting the crowd singing along to traditional Jamaican number Hold Him Joe (I’m
sure it’s rude but that might just be my dirty mind...) and Johnny Hoo swinging
the sticks on a super cool Autumn In Paris.
A downright funky Autumn Groove (off
Andy’s 1st album) narrowly missed out on being the track of the
night, that title was won...perhaps as it should’ve been really...by a whole
new generation of Hamilton, his granddaughter Sophie, who out Ella-d Ms
Fitzgerald on a super sassy Shiny Stockings. Roy Forbes’ perfectly pitched tribute
to his mentor, a cover of Unforgettable, reminded us all while we were here before
a suitably ska tinged number got some of the more energetic members of the
audience up and shaking some ass, gently encouraged by Andy’s daughter Kim
(also Sophie’s mum). All good things must come to an end though and what better
way to cap things off than the rum rich vocals of Vic Evans on That’s All and a
rousing Don’t Worry, sending everyone out into the cold night air with a warm
Jamaican glow.
I’m ashamed to say that, despite being a Bearwoodian
for 20 years, this is my first visit to Bearwood Corks and the Silvershine JazzClub (formerly Bearwood Jazz). Really, really have no idea why. Just one of those things I meant to do
but never got around to. For 20 years. Yes, I know. Slackness is thy name. I
actually like jazz too, not an expert by any means but I know my Courtney Pine
from my Cannonball Adderley and own at least one copy of A Love Supreme
so...you know...no excuses. It’s a lovely venue too, intimate, charmingly old
school (£2.10 for a pint of mild) and echoing with a thousand and one great
nights past. It deserves to have an equally great future too. Support it. It’s what Andy would’ve wanted. Silvershine
on...
PS: Just discovered that Paul Foad, key member of
The Blue Notes and Sophie’s dad, was in legendary post punk band Au Pairs too!
Blimey...now there’s a reunion the world needs right now...
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