"Musical Feast a Treat for Audience"

Zum 'Gypsy Tango Inferno'

The Shrewsbury Music Hall, 7.30pm

Shropshire Star, 02 Mar 2007

Romanian Fry-Up and Swallowing Flies were just two of the items of a sumptuous musical feast served up by Zum, a five-piece group chosen with impeccable taste by the Shropshire Music Trust to perform at The Music Hall.

They were described as "gypsy tango inferno" but this scarcely does them justice for underlying everything is the spirit of klezmer and the vitaliity of jazz.

The programme included music by Piazolla, compositions by Adam Summerhayes and pieces by jazz greats Thelonious Monk and Chick Corea. Violinist Adam Summerhayes was indisposed but Chris Garrick was an excellent replacement. His playing bears all the hallmarks of a jazz musician-vitality, swing and an improvisatory feel.

Similarly, pianist David Gordon is an original; he is fleet of finger, light of touch and swings ferociously. Mr Gordon's arrangement of Monks Classic Around About Midnight was a fine showcase for the cello of Chris Grist and would surely have earned the approval of its cantankerous composer.

Accordion player Eddie Hession was equally impressive. He brings delicacy and subtlety to his instrument, qualities also evident in the superb bass playing of Jani Pensola.

The final number Toe-Tapper For Jessie gave the band members an opportunity to display all the attributes of their playing.

Unsurprisingly, the audience loved them.

Andrew Petch

Last Updated : 03/03/2007