Gig review: Bobby Wellins and Konrad Wiszniewski

Published on Tuesday 30 March 2010 19:03

BOBBY WELLINS & KONRAD WISZNIEWSKI WITH THE DAVID PATRICK TRIO *** REDROOMS, PERTH THEATRE

PIANIST David Patrick had originally intended to bring together two Scottish tenor saxophonists at the opposite ends of their career, the great veteran Bobby Wellins and rising star Konrad Wiszniewski, for a Scottish tour over the weekend.

As it turned out, Wiszniewski's prior commitments to the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and Brass Jaw in Gateshead meant that the first coming together of these excellent tenor men was reserved for the final concert in Perth.

Perhaps inevitably, this initial encounter had a rough and ready feel at times, not helped by the fact that drummer Tom Bancroft's car expired en route to the gig, leading to a half-hour delay in starting. They wasted no time once he had set up his kit, and launched into a driving blues that augured well.

They stuck with familiar material, including a fine version of Ellington's Caravan and a sizzling Love For Sale in the first set, and a teasing romp through Cherokee in the second, in which they disguised the familiar tune until the final chorus.

The anticipated generational stereotype, in which Wiszniewski's muscular, hard-hitting approach contrasted with the more measured explorations of Wellins, was largely confirmed, and to fine effect. David Patrick led his trio in responsive fashion, and added his own well conceived solos for good measure, while Bancroft and bassist Sean Pentland formed an effective and energised rhythm section. Early days, but this seems an experiment worth developing.