Dave Keech: ‘Tokyo’ EP launch, Live at the 100 Club

A collection of some of the most exciting and in-demand musicians in the UK joined trombonist Dave Keech on his new EP, ‘Tokyo’: then they all made it to the stage of London’s 100 Club for the launch event.

@tatianagorilovsky

Appearing in front of a packed crowd, Dave bought an outstanding jazz ensemble to perform first a set of blistering standards including Caravan, Body and Soul, Cotton Tail and an impressive version of Wayne Shorter’s Witch Hunt.

These are musicians at the top of their game and each tune showed ensemble playing and individual improvisation at its finest.

Dave Keech is a really exciting trombonist, which probably explains why these musicians made themselves available for the initial recording and then the 100 Club gig. We’re talking the cream of UK and European jazz: Binker Golding (sax), Nikolaj Torp Larsen (Hammond organ), Rob Luft (guitar), Nim Sadot (bass), Corrie Dick (drums) and Andre Espeut (vocals).

Binker’s sax acted as the perfect foil to Dave’s trombone lines, balanced with seemingly-effortless improvisations. The rhythm section of Nikolai, Rob, Nim and Corrie is practically unbeatable. Each of them performed as sideman and soloist to make the standards anything but.

After a brief break - with a DJ set from jazz head Sten King - and Dave’s effusive thanks to the musicians themselves and others who had made this event possible, the EP launch took over. Throughout the night, Dave’s affinity with Japan and all things Japanese was balanced with an absolute love of jazz, composition for this stellar ensemble and outstanding trombone skills.

Great view of Dave by photographer Tatiana Gorilovsky

The five tracks on Tokyo were influenced by the musicians, artists, writers and experiences most significant to Dave, including Channeling the experimental Charles Mingus and his Beneath the Underdog in Above the Underdog.

Using music to represent a response to the artwork of Eduardo Paolozzi can only work with musicians of the calibre on stage last night. Corrie managed to convey a sense of the artist’s sculptures in the closing bars of Eduardo’s Dream. 

Meanwhile, Americanology and Blood presented different sides of a deep understanding of Northern Soul and funk. No-one plays Hammond organ like Nikolai and Dave’s compositions bring out the best of those keys.

The launch event ended with Tokyo, the title track and an enormous beast of a funky end it was.

You can hear my conversation with Dave for an episode of Harmonious World by clicking here and there’s also a live episode with award-winning guitarist Rob Luft on Harmonious World and my YouTube channel.

If you missed the EP launch event, get hold of Tokyo by clicking here.