Bill Frisell at the Jazz Cafe - 23rd of February 2019

I was worried this gig was going to start like my last Jazz Cafe visit ended as after 45 minutes of standing around all we had seen was some strips of masking tape applied to a double bass...

At least the people watching at the Jazz Cafe gig is always of a high quality. The mix of cool cats, jazz heads, guitar nerds, and slightly bemused other halves provided some entertainment as we waited.

Eventually, opening act Stuart McCallum wandered on stage, full glass of red in hand. He received a slightly frosty reception from the crowd, but soon won everyone over with his enchanting acoustic instrumentals.

Technically proficient without ever being obvious about it, McCallum played a 30 minute set of refreshingly melodic songs. One was so new it didn't have a title and the guitarist confessed he had resorted to requesting suggestions at a recent show in Macclesfield. London couldn't product a winner either. 

Another pause, and you felt the crowd get frustrated after more tape shenanigans failed to produce Bill himself. When he did arrive, the crowd received a brief hand clasp greeting and the Trio launched into 30 minutes of uninterrupted music. Whether this was an act of atonement or a sign of how little Frisell notices the crowd, I'm still unsure.

I am sure that Bill Frisell is a musical genius capable. He constructs soundscapes that feel both familiar and avant garde at the same. That Tony Scherr (bass) and Kenny Wollensen (drums) are able to follow him on this journey, and actually interact with his playing is a testament to their respective abilities. The performance felt like Frisell took his mind off the hook and just let all his years of playing and listening flow out, demanding the rest of us try and keep up. 

Of course it was far more considered than that, Wollensen's accurate and intricate playing kept everyone on course as Frisell went from quiet chord melodies to noise reminiscent of Hendrix launching into the Star Spangled Banner. The drummer was superb throughout and was clearly playing freely enough that he never felt the need to take a bona fide solo.


Watching Scherr dance around his bass while looking Frisell square in the eyes was almost as entertaining as the music itself; but in a one and half hour set with just 3 moments of silence the music is has to be the best part. A late cover of In My Life received the biggest reaction from the crowd, in part because it was the most recognisable tune.

Frisell finally spoke to thank us for listening right at the end, and clearly does love the Jazz Cafe as John Fordham noted two years ago. The crowd was treated to a blistering set that was well worth the wait.