There is a bluesy earthy humane sense to the artistry of Bristol based singer Sara Colman whose work in recent years has included the breakthrough 2018 Stoney Lane album What We’re Made Of and more recently for the same label a meditation on Joni Mitchell whose 'My Old Man' the last track on Colman's Ink on a Pin (2021) was one highlight at last night's Vortex show where Colman was joined by pianist Rebecca 'Bex' Nash, Somerset based double bassist Henrik Jensen known for his work with his band Followed by Thirteen and a welcome surprise unannounced guest in tenor saxophonist Trish Clowes who will be appearing with US trumpet icon Dave Douglas featuring with her band My Iris at the 606 on 27 May.
''I could sing Joni all night,'' said Colman after 'Black Crow' lit up the club later on.
The Joni songs were only part of the blend. And Colman's new material here was most winningly 'Little Light' in the second set performed for the first time - there is an ethereal touch in Colman's best songs. Earlier 'Dreamer' from What We're Made Of and 'Ribbons' translated well in front of the bafflingly sparsely attended Thursday night house.
Nash, whose album Redefining Element 78 was deservedly very well received last year, was a flowing engaged presence throughout. 'Noble Heart' with added lyrics, a setting of that album's piece 'Palladium', again was a big moment of the evening which was shaped by two sets.
There was space for Nash whose sound is reminiscent of Alcyona Mick a little to improvise beyond the notes on the spread of printed pages sat on the club's Steinway.
Jensen was a knowing presence at all times and added a bubbling push and pull that drew out the contours of Colman's voice.
With a style that sits close to Liane Carroll who Colman and Jacqui Dankworth have toured with in The Passion, a vocal/piano trio who released the album One Good Reason in 2007, Colman's internal mood music is vibrant rhapsody - you enter into the song with her and readily roam the rooms of her imagination. Clowes' low toned Iain Ballamy-esque contributions added interesting elaboration and given the uniqueness of this line-up added another striking dimension.
MORE LISTENING AND READING:
- Hear Sara Colman on last year's excellent Heart of Mine: The Songs of Ross Lorraine on 'Pull You Back'
- Colman and Liane Carroll are teaching and performing at the Sligo Jazz Project's Summer School and Festival in July - more details
Rebecca Nash, Henrik Jensen, Sarah Colman, Trish Clowes photo on Thursday evening at the Vortex
Tags: