Charles Tolliver (trumpet and director), Darrell Green (drums), Camille Thurman (tenor sax and voice), Tony Kofi (alto sax), Danny Piers (piano), Larry Bartley (double bass), Cheikh Diop (percussion) and ‘A Big Band of London’s Finest’

Barbican Hall, London, 18 November 2024

by John Earls. Photo credit (c) John Earls

In my post-punk 1980s drumming days (yeah, I know) my list of favourite drummers included the likes of Charlie Watts (The Rolling Stones), Topper Headon (The Clash), Lindy Morrison (The Go-Betweens) and Brian Downey (Thin Lizzy). But it also included Max Roach, the legendary jazz drummer, composer and activist (who most of my musical contemporaries at the time hadn’t heard of). His 1968 Members, Don’t Git Weary album (of which more later) was an important part of my record collection. It still is.

I was also lucky enough to see Roach perform live (again at the Barbican) in 1999. So it was with great anticipation and excitement that I headed to the same venue some 25 years later for a London Jazz Festival concert put together and directed by Charles Tolliver, a friend and collaborator of Roach who played trumpet on Members, Don’t Git Weary to celebrate what would have been Roach’s 100^th year (he died in 2007).

The first half of a two set concert saw Tolliver (trumpet and leader) joined by Darrell Green (drums), Camille Thurman (tenor sax and voice), Tony Kofi (alto sax), Danny Piers (piano), Larry Bartley (double bass) and Cheikh Diop (percussion) in a terrific seven-piece ensemble.

It got off to a ripping start with Powell’s Prances, a piece from Roach’s days with trumpet player Clifford Brown which also featured nice saxophone solos from Thurman and Kofi. This was followed by a poignant Effi from Members, Don’t Git Weary. Then came a terrific performance of Cole Porter’s I Get A Kick Out Of You which featured on Roach’s 1954 album with Clifford Brown and his Quintet, Brown and Roach Incorporated. This maintained the fizz and dexterity of the recorded version but, unlike the album, included vocals which were skilfully done by Thurman, who went on to demonstrate what a fine singer she is throughout the rest of the evening.

This was the case with the next tune, Always Loved You, which – in a nod to Roach’s spirit of innovation and risk-taking – was a new number, starting as a lovely ballad before livening up considerably, allowing Thurman to also display her saxophone prowess. The set ended with the Members, Don’t Git Weary tune itself. It remains a potent and powerful expression for the disenfranchised with its “I’m going to feast on the milk and honey…I’m going to march with the tallest angel” refrains.

The second set saw the first set’s ensemble (minus percussionist Cheikh Diop) joined by what the Barbican website described as ‘A Big Band of London’s Finest’, assembled by Toni Kofi. Let’s name them now for they deserve nothing less (they weren’t introduced by name on stage so here’s the personnel listed from the Barbican website): Donovan Haffner (alto saxophone, clarinet), Jean Toussaint (tenor saxophone), Denys Baptiste (tenor saxophone, clarinet), Charles Rothwell (baritone saxophone, bass clarinet), Josh Short (lead trumpet), Byron Wallen (trumpet), Dan Coulthurst (trumpet), Alexander Polack (trumpet), Matt Seddon (trombone), Harry Brown (trombone), James Wade-Sired (trombone) and Richard Henry (bass trombone).

Tolliver is a renowned big band composer and leader himself; his big band’s With Love album (2006) is fabulous. The set opened with a throbbing and steaming Suspicion, leading into some scat singing from Thurman and even Tolliver himself (advising us afterwards that it was “the only time you’ll hear Charles Tolliver sing!”). This was followed by Drum Suite, with deft saxophone solos from Jean Toussaint and Donovan Haffner allied to some nice smoky organ playing, before an amazing spiritual-like piece of vocal work (again) from Thurman. The Grand Max encore was rousingly appropriate.

I don’t know how much time this band had to rehearse as a collective but it was a formidable and engrossing performance – well done Toni Kofi.

Needless to say, to be the drummer in a performance honouring Max Roach’s 100^th year must be a daunting experience but Darrell Green played with considerable aplomb and flair including some magnificent solos not least, not surprisingly, on Drum Suite.

Charles Tolliver is to be congratulated and commended for putting together a concert of such entertainment, joy and poise in tribute to his friend and fellow musician. I’m sure Max would have enjoyed it immensely. Those that were there certainly did.

John Earls is Director of Research at Unite the Union. He posts on Bluesky and tweets / updates his ‘X’ content at @john_earls

The albums mentioned by John in his review can be heard on Tidal, using the links below:

Published post no.2,368 – Wednesday 20 November 2024