Electro-jazz: Whighams jazz club 1 Very best of Visage 30

Published on Friday 26 March 2010 15:21

IT was the late Pat Quinn, musician, author, Evening News jazz critic and all round good guy who finally got me hooked on laid-back, lazy nights spent listening to the likes of Niki Haris (one-time Madonna backing singer and vocalist on Snap's chart-topping dance track Exterminate) effortlessly working their way through the jazz standards in smoke-filled basement bars.

Nowadays, the smokey atmosphere may be a thing of the past but the music remains. Which is why I'm looking forward to spending Sunday evening, chilling in another of the Capital's subterranean venues, Whighams Winecellars.

This weekend, Whighams, on Hope Street, celebrates the first birthday of its popular jazz night with a party hosted by Tam White. Founded by Edinburgh drummer Kevin Dorrian and Graeme Knox, Whighams Jazz Club was "born out of a need for a regular event where jazz instrumentalists and singers could come together in pleasant surroundings."

Consequently, for the last 12 months, regular Sunday sessions have provided a platform for professional and amateur musicians, young and old alike to come together to play and enjoy live jazz.

The club, which runs every Sunday from 8.30-11.30pm, also boasts a house trio (piano/double bass/ drums) plus a host, who is usually either a well known singer or horn player of note.

Sunday's birthday bash starts at 8.30pm and goes on until midnight and includes a special session involving performances by a number of the club's regular contributors plus one or two special guests. Check it out.

Whighams Jazz Club might have only been around for a year, but it's more years than I care to remember since I first listened to Mind Of A Toy, by Visage.

Actually, I know exactly how long ago it was as it's now 30 years since Visage released the seminal Fade To Grey album – a present from work mates when I left my first job on a YOP scheme. Remember them? The release of The Face: The Very Best Of Visage, earlier this month, brought back that memory.

Formed in 1978 and fronted by the flamboyant Steve Strange, Visage practically invented electro-pop at the famous Blitz Club in London's Covent Garden. Indeed without Strange, Midge Ure and Billy Currie's 'studio band' and tracks like Moon Over Moscow and The Damned Don't Cry, there would be no Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode, La Roux and Lady Gaga.

The Very Best of Visage features 2009 remixes of Fade To Grey by Rusty Egan, the original Blitz Club DJ and Michael Gray (of The Weekend and Borderline fame), alongside the rest of the band's chart-topping singles and some classic dance remixes.

I have a couple of copies to give away so if you fancy one, just e-mail your name and address to [e-mail] with the word VISAGE in the subject line. Good luck.

Whighams Winecellar Jazz Club first birthday party, Hope Street, Sunday, 8.30pm-midnight, free, 0131-225 8674