Guy Barker at Ronnie Scott's

Guy Barker at Ronnie Scott's

17 September, 2008
by: JHallam

Guy Barker, an obscure figure unless you're in the jazz-know, is a trumpet player and composer from Chiswick. Since taking up the instrument, at the age of twelve, he has played with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Sting and Wham! I hadn't heard of him either. In fact, I'm compelled to attend his performance because I still haven't visited Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club.

Ronnie's is one of the Best Jazz Clubs in London. Since it opened in 1959, the place has seen a musical tapestry of jazz and blues players stop by for a jam. Bill Evans, Nina Simone and Jamie Cullum have all recorded live albums at this legendary venue. Naturally I nearly scuff my spats in anticipation.

I'm not to be disappointed. First impressions: a laid back atmosphere and the sound of off-beat drumming. Even the lamps look like they've been filled with rum to achieve the optimum lighting level. Nursing my limited jazz knowledge I take a pew at the bar and immediately feel sheepish ordering a Moretti. House quintet Empirical soundtrack my arrival; they're great. Just a bunch of guys grooving hard and clearly enjoying themselves. I only catch them midway through their last song, but am reassured that they'll be playing the late night set. After a short interlude a rather dapper gentleman clutching a trumpet appears on stage.

Surprising me, he's followed by thirteen musicians sporting acres of brass and dark suits. Guy Barker gives a slightly timid introduction to his jazz orchestra and then they launch into their first track 'Wolfie.' If I could use one word to describe their sound, it's 'complex.' The whole sound is a mass of jumpy melodies and abrupt crescendos appearing out of nowhere. It's as though one of his goals for the score was to avoid using the same note more than once. He explains his inspiration for the song came from hearing a DJ blending modern beats with old jazz samples – although the modern beats could have only been a mix between Jaga Jazzist and The Mars Volta.

It's pretty hectic but the whole band are tremendously talented with some flying lead saxophone, clarinet, piano and, of course, trumpet. The drummer holds down the beat very well, nicely complemented by some manic double-bass playing. Guy also has great stories behind the music, with one track inspired by re-writing Mozart's Die Zauberflote for 1950s New York. The orchestra only plays four tracks from Guy's most recent album 'The Amadeus Project', with the set lasting one and a half hours. Overall I find Guy Barker's orchestra almost too abstract, but there's a fabulous five minutes where they kick out a lovely thick groove that everyone appreciates. I'm also kept amused by the fact that the uncanny resemblance of their bass trombone player to Family Guy's Peter Griffin.

However, the mood at Ronnie's is like a room full of friends enjoying the local group, which makes every performance that much more enjoyable. But Guy still leaves me wanting. This craving is more than satisfied by Empirical's late night set. As Guy remarks, when asked for a complimentary support act, the word ‘Empirical' jumps straight to mind. Their set consists entirely of Cannonball Adderly covers and they really go for it with some inspired lead saxophone and proper energy behind the music.

Guy's wacky jazz orchestra is a little out there for my taste, but I'm definitely on the look out for more of the youthful Empirical. Any excuse to head back to Ronnie Scott's.

Read Marcus’s guide to the Best Jazz Clubs in London
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JHallam