The Blue Lounge is one of the biggest jazz venues in Scotland and has a dedicated jazz night every Thursday. Tonight we they had the Ghana/scottish guitarist and composer Nathan Somevi and his trio featuring Rachel Duns on saxophone and Alex Palmer on drums.
A quaint old fashioned venue the place has a wonderful vibe and is large enough to accommodate a decent crowd but small enough for the place to feel intimate. A perfect setting for Nathan and his trio to dazzle with some African inspired jazz. Somevi’s sound is dominated by a hypnotic and subconscious flow from his hybrid guitar and the hair raising solos from Dun on sax, who was applauded several times through out the night for her fluid and lively playing.
Having being born in Ghana before moving to the UK at a young age with his family, Somevi mines his heritage for influences to his music which can be heard on his EP ‘Can’t Be Done’. A joyous collection of compositions that never lets the listener float off all the while keeping you grounded in a modern jazz vibe. That was just how the night went. Several in the crowd where in the groove and moving within it allowing the music to wash over them.
The gentle giant of a man and his talented fingers delivered a night of first class musicianship delivered in a quiet reserved manner where the music does the talking.
Check out Somevi’s track Happy Times, below:
Find out more via Somevi’s Facebook or Bandcamp
