Transgression rewarded
Last night I transgressed. I slipped out of my choir rehearsal half way through so I could get to most of the Get The Blessing/John Hegley gig at Watermill Jazz Club. All I can say in my defence is – it was worth it!
As a jazz fan and a poet I could hardly resist a combination of the two and I’ve always had a particular weakness for the style of poetry which he embodies. Incisive, entertaining, hiding the craft behind accessibility, and performative. Dry humour, audience participation, sharp observation and a gift for rhythm and rhyme allied to the ability to avoid being taken prisoner by it. His interaction with the band was a delight – clearly to them as well as the audience. And when he took a back seat and the band took over, what a wealth of rhythm there too, allied to some fine playing on sax and trumpet and skilful use of electronics.
The evening reminded me again about the wealth of creativity I wrote about last week and how often we ‘Get The Blessing’. Yesterday I was involved in planning a Mystery Play with Damn Cheek for the summer – in Gateshead (more on this anon). Last night was singing Haydn followed by the gig. Tomorrow is our dinner theatre show based on my novel Blessed Assurance with a fine of group of actors and musicians, and so it goes on. And next Tuesday I’m skiving again – it’s not every day the Brubeck brothers come to town.
(And if you’re wondering, the dinner theatre is March 5th (tomorrow as I write this) at the Stepping Stones pub in West Humble, near Dorking. Starts 7.15. Book on 01306 889932.)
