Tuesday 6 February 2024

Esther Bennett - Words for Wayne Shorter

Esther Bennett

Esther Bennett - voice
Tim Lapthorn - piano,
Oli Hayhurst - bass
Flavio Li Vigni - drums
Brandon Allen - saxes

02/02/2024
Polish Cultural Centre, Posk, Jazz Café, King Street, Hammersmith
https://www.jazzcafeposk.org/

Flavio Li Vigni 

One of the great nights of originality, performance and raw creativity at Jazz Cafe POSK in Hammersmith. Singer Esther Bennett premiered her latest project, Words for Wayne Shorter, at the West London Cultural hub in front of a packed house. Created specifically for POSK, Bennett created lyrics, voice and poetry for a selection of Wayne Shorter compositions.

Oli Hayhurst 

The tunes chosen from Shorter's Blue Note period gave plenty of opportunity for Brandon Allen (saxophones), Tim Lapthorn (piano), Oli Hayhurst (double bass) and Flavio Li Vigni (drums) to shine. As well as an intertwining of likeminded musical threads from Bennett and Shorter, it was also a night of shared philosophies and existential views. What stood out most was the sheer pizzaz of Bennett, the Brummie belter had more spark than a Black Country furnace.  

Tim Lapthorn

Esther Bennett is one of the jazz scene’s most highly respected and widely loved vocalists. Her innate sense of musicality, gleaned from her earlier years of saxophone playing and study of the jazz idiom, inform a voice that has individuality, originality and flair. Bennett's debut album “Just in Time” was produced by multi award winning singer Ian Shaw and launched at London’s 606 Club in 2005. Since then, she has carved out a prestigious career as a jazz singer, performing extensively in major venues in and around London, across the country and in Europe, accompanied by some of the UK’s leading jazz musicians.

Bandon Allen

Catch more Bandon Allen at Jazz Cafe POSK in the coming weeks, when he brings his Groove Band to the venue on 23rd February 2024.

Esther Bennett