Preview: Georgia Mancio

Georgia Mancio with Nigel Price (25th) and Ian Shaw (26th) at The Pheasantry, Friday 26th and Saturday 27th February. Preview by Fran Hardcastle.

This weekend sees the return of accomplished singer, Georgia Mancio to The Pheasantry. A figure on the vocal jazz scene for 10 years now, Mancio is recognised by her peers for her elegant vocal style. Her graceful voice nimbly displays a virtuosic predilection for harmony, underpinned by impeccable intonation. Technical strengths added to a gentle, charming persona make for a bewitching combination.

On Friday she performs a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass with former JTQ guitarist Nigel Price, often likened by critics to his guitar hero Wes Montgomery. Much lauded for his own work with the Nigel Price Organ Trio, for which he one a Parliamentary Jazz Award in 2010, Price can really thrill, drifting between languid blues and intricate hard-bop. He navigates the fretboard with exceptional dexterity. I recently saw the pair perform at Club 10 and have rarely heard a more perfectly matched instinctive duo, who exude class. Expect an intimate and highly musical evening.

The inimitable Ian Shaw joins Mancio on Saturday night for what will most certainly be a performance soaked in humour and style.

For bookings go to www.pizzaexpresslive.co.uk

Preview: Esther Bennett on the songs of Duncan Lamont Sr.

Esther Bennett writes about the songs of Duncan Lamont Sr,. which she is singing at the Pheasantry in Kings Road on Monday November 29th.

A quick walk through Duncan Lamont Sr.'s credentials shows that he has been a studio player (often featured soloist) on tenor saxohone for Henry Mancini, Benny Goodman, Gil Evans, Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby,Tony Bennett and Paul McCartney...

And that as a composer his songs have been performed and recorded by Natalie Cole, Blossom Dearie, Mark Murphy, Cleo Laine, Norma Winstone, Claire Martin and Ian Shaw...

These are songs which transport the singer and audience straight to a particular time and place, or mood or feel. The lyrical content of "Pretty People," for example, is wryly observant:


"He does something in the city she’s in fabric and design
they’re pretty people, such pretty people.
They’ve a house right on the river and a cellar full of wine,
they’re pretty people”

or try the conversational and secret-sharing intimacy of "I Didn’t Know You At All":

"I thought I knew you so well?
I never quite heard your laughter.
I took your love in my stride.
Now…..I remember your laughter."

The recent "I’ve Just Said Goodbye To The Blues" invites you to “live laugh love and Samba your cares away.”

From a personal point of view, I feel that Duncan’s lyrics reveal a deep understanding of the human condition, and of women, and that the music itself contains a great deal of soul.

As one would expect from a musician, composer and arranger of Duncan’s sophistication, the melodic lines that are often far from predictable, offering many unexpected intervals and rhythmic tricks and turns that are a joy to learn.

I am opening the show with "52nd Street." The quotes and references speak for themselves and fully illustrate a lifetime's experience and education in jazz.

Thank you Duncan. It is a privilege to work with you, and will be an honour to have you with me (and John Crawford on piano and Simon Little on bass) at The Pheasantry on Monday November 29th. I look forward to continuing to give your songs the love and respect they deserve.

PIZZA EXPRESS AT PHEASANTRY is at 152 -154 KINGS ROAD, SW3 4UT
www.pizzaexpresslive.com/ 0845 6027 017 -SHOWTIME 8.30PM / £17.50