The Neil Maya Quartet
Jazz comes to the valley
Jazz comes to the valley
The pulsating rhythms of Dave Brubeck’s Take 5 inspired Devon sax player Neil Maya to recruit three of the best musicians in the west to join him for The Brubeck Project, and you can hear the result at Clayhidon Parish Hall on Friday 26 January.
Just about everyone remembers Take 5, even people who weren’t even born in 1961, when it became the biggest selling jazz single ever, because even today it is constantly being aired on radio and TV.
That mesmerising alien beat seems entirely original, and yet Brubeck drew his inspiration from listening to a group of Turkish street musicians performing a traditional folk song. The played it in 9/8 time (traditionally called “Bulgarian meter”), rarely used in Western music. Brubeck studied the form, then created an album that deviated from the usual 4/4 time of jazz and experimented with the exotic styles he had experienced in Eurasia.
While the Neil Maya Quartet are rooted in the sounds of the cool jazz movement of the 50’s and 60’s, they love playing other styles such as funk, samba, African and even folk-rock and you can hear that, along with some of their own compositions, in the first half of Friday’s gig, while the second half is devoted to Brubeck.
This is the first time jazz has been played at the hall for years, and we are hoping you can join us for what promises to be a memorable event. Doors open at 7.00pm for a 7.30 start. Tickets are £10. Pre-booked supper is £5. Call Caroline Bendle on 01823 681047 or email carouselle@btinternet.