Lawrence Jones Quartet, December 2024 – Camden Club
Review written by Ra Hendricks, JAZZMO’THOLOGY
It was Friday night in Camden, London, NW1 – in December! There’s a buzz in the air, and I’m in good company heading to the Camden Club for the very first time to see Lawrence Jones & Band in concert. The entrance to the venue is understated, hardly noticeable, directly opposite the grand edifice which is the Roundhouse, with a flight of stairs leading to the main auditorium, which opens up in true Jazz club style to reveal the prominent stage, a spread of tables and seated audience with the vital subdued lighting setting the mood.
Lawrence was already in full flow on saxophone accompanied on stage by his regular band – Paul Witten on double bass, Joe Edwards on drums and Terry Seabrook on piano. The piano sat on the floor below the stage, right in front of a table of patrons at arm’s length. An interesting placement! Lawrence’s style is that of the raconteur, so each tune comes with a unique introduction. And there’s no mistaking his melodious quality coming out of the alto sax, cheeks fully puffed out, or flute once he got into his flow. I looked around the room to see happy faces, heads bobbing to the rhythm as warm applause greeted the end of each tune.
The Camden Club has a really nice vibe. People were eating and drinking with some conversations a little too audible around the room but the band played on.
Praises go to the principals, Ossie Huggins and Kathy Kalarus, the inspirational Music Motivation Management team staging the gig, for the choice of setting and for a thoroughly enjoyable evening of live Jazz – not forgetting DJ Alistair Thomas and Jason Price who kept the up tempo groove firmly in place during the breaks between the sets that the band played.
A Good Time Was Had By All!
