By: Roy Stevens - Mon, 26 March 2012

.A friend of mine returned from the Brecon Jazz Festival in 2009 positively raving about a Welsh saxophonist, Dominic Norcross, who had played a set with Mornington Lockett. I am a great admirer of Mornington and anyone who can hold their own with him must be pretty good in my book.

On Sunday evening at the Chapel at No.1, Shakespeare Street the Dominic Norcross quartet was featured so this was my first opportunity to check out Dominic in a live performance. I quickly realised that my friend is not prone to exaggeration as this fine musician presented a wide ranging programme from the Great American Songbook to some delightfully subtle original works. His interpretation of Georgia On My Mind had the seductive overtones of Stan Getz and when he tore into The Meaning of the Blues with such robust power it was like having Michael Brecker in the room. Don’t get me wrong this guy is not a clone of anyone, true you can detect influences, but he has his own style which was readily recognised when playing his own material with solos of real interest and creativity.

Some impressive contributions from John Davies on guitar, Steve Tarner on base and Eddie John on drums completed this outstanding quartet which deserves to have a wider recognition than it presently enjoys. If you can get your hands on it, I strongly recommend their album, Here Goes it is a worthy addition to any jazz lover’s collection, all original titles from Dominic – better still catch them live!

Next Sunday a truly international quintet is featured at the Chapel at No.1. A Danish guitarist, a Swedish drummer, a Russian pianist and a Russian saxophonist all led by a bassist from Deddington. Steve Kershaw brings along Stekpanna a band that plays fresh exciting jazz injected with plenty of humour. The concert commences at 8pm. For more info visit www.stratfordjazz.org.uk

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