Paul Eshelby and friends: Jazz at Benslow

In a hall more used to classical music recitals and exam performances, Benslow Music Chief Executive Michael Duffy introduced an evening of jazz to a capacity audience.

James Pearson, Paul Morgan. Jenny Howe, Simon Gardner and Bobby Worth at Benslow

Trumpeter Paul Eshelby - himself an alumnus of the hugely prestigious BBC Radio Big Band - brought together an extraordinary band of world-class musicians for an evening of jazz at Hitchin’s Benslow Music. Joining him on the frontline was Simon Bates (sax and clarinet), who is Professor of saxophone for the Royal Marines and brings experience with everyone from Elvis Costello to Jamie Cullum and Lulu to Kylie.

Meanwhile, the rhythm section was one of the best you’ll hear anywhere: James Pearson (piano) is musical director and house pianist at Ronnie Scott’s; his colleagues are Paul Morgan (bass) and Bobby Worth (drums), who both have impressive careers that each started in Bill Ashton’s National Youth Jazz Orchestra. Guest appearances came from vocalists Jenny Howe and Anton Browne, as well as incredible trumpeter Simon Gardner, who had also cut his teeth within NYJO.

Even the interval was punctuated with great music with Wayne Martin (trumpet) and John Russell (guitar), who gave a sterling rendition of several tunes made famous by Frank Sinatra, including The Shadow of Your Smile, Nancy with the Laughing Face and Witchcraft.

Eshelby and Bates covered tracks such as ‘S Wonderful like the professionals they are, with the fantastic trio behind them. After 40 (or 39, if you count the Covid-19 break) years of running the Big Band course at Benslow, Eshelby has nothing to prove and he was happy to welcome other musicians from this year’s course to the stage.

Howe and Gardner wowed the audience with Teach Me Tonight, Love For Sale, Embraceable You and One Note Samba. Brit School vocal tutor Browne proved his credentials with range and soul on I Love Paris, Proud Mary and a brilliant version of Mean To Me with Howe, Gardner et al.

When the rhythm section was left to their own devices on Lady Be Good, the audience was stunned into appreciative silence as these titans of British jazz proved that you can hear world class jazz in your local venue.

What was the most incredible tour de force of the night was the unassuming standard Take the A Train. A tune that can be mundane and ordinary was anything but. Pearson’s solo, in particular, was something that many of us will talk about for years to come: I think everyone (pianist included) was deeply moved when the solo came to a brilliant finish.

Paul Eshelby certainly has some impressive jazz-infested friends and if you see this gig come up in a concert hall or jazz club near you.