Acoustic Alchemy

Ray Gelato

Once upon a time, it was sweet jazz that aroused the disdain of purists. Seventy-odd years later, the adjective has changed to “smooth”, but the gulf between admirers and those who clap their hands over their ears is just as wide.

Acoustic Alchemy won’t win over many sceptics, but their sleek brand of fusion at least boasts more character and harmonic twists than that ultimate smooth merchant, Kenny G. Back in Soho for its Christmas season, the band has passed through a number of incarnations since the late Nick Webb joined forces with his fellow guitarist Greg Carmichael. With Miles Gilderdale alongside Carmichael, the quintet roamed through a confident if sometimes cloying set.

Gilderdale, who occasionally switched to electric guitar, fired off a string of elegant solos, his partner responding in kind. As is generally the case with the genre, the melodies tended to blur into an extended sequence of inoffensive pastel shades. (In their defence, it should be pointed out that mainstream styles of jazz suffer from a dearth of good original tunes as well.) Fortunately, it was always possible to focus one’s attention on the effortlessly intricate bass playing of Gary Grainger and the equally propulsive drumming of his brother Greg.

Just around the corner, another Soho institution, Ray Gelato & the Giants, is settling into its residency. The late, great George Melly still casts a long shadow at this time of year, but Gelato’s dapper mixture of swing and Louis Prima jumping jive remains as invigorating as ever. Unlike the smoothies, Gelato is never short of a memorable hook, and he picked up his tenor sax to lead his group through a rousing arrangement of Night Train. James Brown would have approved.

If some of his other choices veered towards the schmaltzier end of the repertoire, Gelato also delivered a convincing tribute to Cab Calloway, another artist who understood the importance of showmanship. Like Carmichael & Co, the playboys will be in residence, on and off, until New Year’s Eve.

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