Gareth Williams/Piers Clark/Dave Green/Steve Brown

Smalls, Caxton Arms, Brighton

Thursday 28th November, 2013

    They started the first set with the old classic Rosetta (one which isn’t heard enough these days) and  then started the second set with another classic, Avalon, played at a fast swinging tempo. In between were other classics such as Oscar Pettiford’s Laverne Walk and Basie’s Jumpin’ At The Woodside.

    Whilst the accent was very much on mainstream jazz, it was obvious that Gareth Williams couldn’t resist putting in a piece that epitomises the style of Bill Evans, and Someday My Prince Will Come also revealed some great interplay between Dave Green and Gareth Williams.     The addition of Gareth Williams singing a couple of numbers (such as All of Me) added to the intimacy of the evening. The light touch and virtuosity of drummer Steve Brown made this a memorable evening of great acoustic live jazz.

Charlie Anderson

Gareth Williams, piano; Piers Clark, guitar; Dave Green, double bass; Steve Brown, drums.