Review: Monica Vasconcelos Hih
Well, it is in my case anyway.
For me, that is one of the reasons I like it so much. It’s a bit like escapism.
A lot of people say jazz is boring or a bit pretentious - and I can see why - but when you are listening to the good stuff it really seems like you are in a different place or time.
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Hide AdAnd it is no mean feat to make a man sitting in a theatre in Nottingham’s Hyson Green feel like he is really in a Latin American speakeasy.
But jazz vocalist Monica Vasconselos just about managed it during her recent appearance at the New Art Exchange.
The petit Brazilian, along with three-piece band Hih, played a mixed-tempo set made up of traditional songs from the North-East of Brazil and their own more North American-style compositions.
Vasconcelos’ band are first-class musicians and play really good musical jazz breaks with knee-slapping percussion.
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Hide AdThe vocalist played a mean triangle and shakers while singing in that sweet Portuguese accent and in between songs she told some good stories and really connected with the audience.
I think the only problem was the venue - people seemed a little constrained by the fixed-bench theatre-style seating and you couldn’t help thinking they might have had a bit more fun if they could just move around a bit more and relax instead of being sat rigidly upright like in a church.
You got the impression Vasconcelos and her band would really come into their own set up in the corner of a pub or bar where the audience could just relax and let the music wash over them.
But maybe that’s just me.
The gig was organised by not-for-profit enthusiasts Jazzsteps, whose regular venue is at Arnold’s Bonington Theatre.
For more information about Jazzsteps upcoming gigs visit www.jazzsteps.co.uk.