Riverside Arts Centre Sunbury reviews by real event-goers

Review of Brecon Jazz Festival London Day

Highly enjoyable evening of piano-led jazz featuring husband and wife Atsuko Shimada and Juan Galiardo leading their respective trios: in practice using the same rhythm section. Excellent mix of standards, including Cole Porter, Jerome Kern and Ray Noble, and original compositions. I was particularly impressed by the closing number of Atsuko's set which was her tribute to Coltrane's classic "Impressions", entitled "Third Impression" (the Second Impression being the title track of an Eric Alexander album). For all but the first two numbers she was joined by stalwart of the UK jazz scene, altoist Alan Barnes . who contributed his usual classy perspective to the set. I'd never heard Juan's music before but when you realised that he'd played alongside the likes of the great Jerry Bergonzi you knew you were in for a treat, and he didn't disappoint. Fabulous keyboard work backed by his excellent rhythm section colleagues. This meant of course that we were denied the usual pleasure of Mr, or should it be Sir, Terence Collie's contribution, but I guess that would have been just one pianist too many. But, as we know, there is no end to his talents and Terry simply slipped seamlessly into the role of controlling the livestream back to the Brecon Festival (and everywhere else) and providing the sound balance. Truly a Renaissance man of our time !

Review of Nigel Price - RAJ

Absolutely brilliant!

Review of Nigel Price - RAJ

Very enjoyable evening as usual with any gig hosted by Terry and Janet, and of course with TC on piano. I've seen Nigel Price numerous times in a variety of lineups and he never fails to deliver a high quality show. Surely one of the finest guitarists in any musical genre in the UK and definitely one of the most hard working: does he ever take a break or have a holiday ? Very tasteful selection of jazz standards, apparently chosen on the night, including I'm Old Fashioned, Jobim's Triste, Fran Landesmann's wonderful Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most and Love For Sale taken at breakneck speed. The highlight for me, however, was the unexpected inclusion of Kenny Burrell's Midnight Blue, which regularly features on Blue Note "Best Of" collections. Great stuff.

Review of Nigel Price - RAJ

Absolutely brilliant!

Review of Jazz Workshop with Nigel Price

Informal practical advice. Right number of students. Exercises on chord tones, triads, tritone substitution, keeping time/groove at slow tempos. Snacks and tea/coffee much appreciated on arrival and in the break! Air conditioning in hall - nice treat! Great afternoon out, followed by an on fire Mood Indigo Events’ concert featuring Nigel Price. Amazing! Like a mini holiday for me! 😉

Review of Patrick Clahar - Riverside Arts Jazz

Yet another coup for the MIE "guys" featuring a name new to me: Patrick Clahar. A really outstanding tenorist who should be far better known than I suspect he is. Great selection of standards and covers, including I Hear a Rhapsody, In A Sentimental Mood, one of my favourites Softly As In A Morning Sunrise (are there any other types of sunrise ?!), but above all a stunning version of John Coltrane's Moment's Notice, which even the great man himself I'm sure would have been impressed with. Worth the admission price alone for such a tour de force. Great support as always from Terry Collie recently described by someone (me) as the "next McCoy Tyner" plus multi-talented Pete Billington on bass and ever-reliable stalwart of the drummers union, Tristram Maillot.

Review of Nicolas Meier - Riverside Arts Jazz

Wow, what a stunner. I had heard of Nicolas Meier beforehand but without being familiar with his music. I signed up mainly on the recommendation of another MIE stalwart, Bryan Collins, who raved about Nicolas's technique, and was I glad I did. Absolutely stellar playing from the main man, but also wonderful support from TC, the ever-reliable Stuart Barker and terrific percussionist, Adam Texeira. The two sets included a smattering of standards, but was mainly characterised by some wonderfully atmospheric original compositions, heavily influenced by near-Eastern music and places (especially Turkey). Nicolas also announced that he was about to embark on a major European tour supporting guitarist Steve Vai. Based on last night's evidence, shouldn't that be the other round ?!!

Review of Nicolas Meier - Riverside Arts Jazz

Very good. High class quarter.

Review of Celebrating Matt Dibble

very enjoyable evening with lovely music. Great host.

Review of Celebrating Matt Dibble

A very fitting tribute to a sadly missed musician, taken far too early. A great selection of numbers chosen by Terry Collie who collaborated with Matt on various occasions, most notably their excellent 2017 "Trio" album, which also featured ace of bass, Nick Lenner-Webster, who was also in the rhythm section last night. It was particularly poignant to hear versions of two of Matt's compositions from that recording: Celestial Waltz and For Kenny, his own tribute to the great Kenny Wheeler. Great support too from the front line of Paul Jordanus (trumpet) and Jac Jones (tenor sax) plus Steve Green (drums). Altogether a lovely evening of music, much of which had been composed by Matt and which demonstrated what a loss we've suffered.

Review of Roberto Manzin

The return of the Maestro ! As Ms MIE (Janet) said: "Berlin's loss is our (re)gain." Welcome back Roberto, you've been sorely missed. And now in a slimmed down version and switching from alto to tenor sax. Fabulous choice of music centreing on compositions by the great Michael Brecker, Kenny Garrett and Wayne Shorter. And, briefly returning to my pimply youth, not a soppy ballad in sight ! Great support as always from Mr TC who did a very creditable impersonation of both Joey Calderazzo and McCoy Tyner, particularly on the closing "El Nino". And what more could you want than the elegant stylings of Mark Rose on double bass and, "everyone's favourite drummer" (Janet again) the wonderful Sophie Alloway. What a perfect way to kick off the next ten years of MIE.

Review of Riverside Arts Jazz - Matt Telfer

Another super jazz night at the RAC, this time featuring excellent tenorist Matt Telfer with a selection of standards and classic tunes, including Work Song, God Bless The Child and What's New ? Great support as always from Top Cat pianist ("Mr Mood Indigo") Terry Collie, aided this time by the ever-consistent Stuart Barker on double bass and, first time at Sunbury, the very effective Gaetano di Giacomo on drums. My only minor quibble was that Matt could have identified more of the numbers for those not necessarily familiar with them, including me ! But, what the heck, the set list was completely improvised so why should I complain ?

Review of Lester Brown/Paul Silver Quintet

Great evening! House smells musty - that could be improved! Music was fantastic! Top notch musician!

Review of Lester Brown/Paul Silver Quintet

what a great evening of jazz- fantatstic musicians in every respect, really great choice of repertoire and nice, informal compering

Review of Lester Brown/Paul Silver Quintet

Fantastic evening of beautiful music performed by very talented musicians. 10/10

Review of Lester Brown/Paul Silver Quintet

Absolutely wonderful!

Review of Lester Brown/Paul Silver Quintet

Excellent musicians and a great evening as always

Review of A Night of Latin Jazz - Guillermo Hill

Super evening of South American-inspired jazz led by stylish Uruguayan guitarist Guillermo supported by the fast runs and montuno-style piano of Mr Mood Indigo, Terry Collie, plus an excellent three-piece rhythm section, including the ever-reliable Dave Jones on bass guitar. Excellent choice of mid- and uptempo material drawn from various Brazilian and Uruguayan songwriters, plus an original from Guillermo himself to finish the second set. Some good-natured disagreement over who wrote the classic Mambo Inn, plus an intervention by stalwart audience member Bryan Collins protesting at the non-mention of guitarist Steve Khan for "Steve Khan's Blues", just added to the fun. And all this in spite of Terry and Janet having to improvise over the venue layout at the last minute, which meant that the intended livestream had to be abandoned. Well done everyone !

Review of The Three Simons - RAJ Christmas Special

This was such an energetic boost to pre christmas Spirits. I thoroughly enjoyed the performances from all of the excellent musicians and felt safe in the venue. Great atmosphere, music and fun.
Lesley Christiane

Review of The Three Simons - RAJ Christmas Special

Excellent musicians and intimate venue