By: Roy Stevens - Mon, Oct 24, 2011

I suppose it was inevitable that, with such luminaries as Dylan Howe, Gilad Atzmon, Jacqui Dankworth and the MYJO appearing in an excellent week of jazz provided by the Stratford Music Festival, there would be some backlash. This was experienced on Sunday evening at the Chapel at No.1, Shakespeare when jazz vocalist Sarah Ellen Hughes performed with her quartet to a smaller audience than was anticipated. Those who stayed away missed a real treat as Sarah delivered a programme of quality, proving that she up there with the best in the business. Several punters were of the opinion that she is the best jazz singer ever to appear at Stratford Jazz .

The fact that this ex school teacher is clearly passionate about her jazz is exemplified by the amount of work she has invested in her arrangements, whether it is her own compositions or reworking classic standards. Like all creative musicians she is a good listener, I was particularly impressed by the lyrics she wrote to a David O’Higgins tune The Story So Far and the way she cleverly reworked Darn That Dream based on the Dexter Gordon Blue Note recording.

It is a rare treat to listen to a vocalist of such versatility – her diction is superb, her phrasing is elegant and she floats from such a soft mellow tone to a be-bopish swing reminiscent of Anita O’Day. I am not a great lover of scat vocalese but I was won over by Sarah’s performance, she has a natural flare for be-bop phrasing which she delivers in such an adroit and exuberant fashion – her duets with other band members were a joy.

It is said that good musicians attract good musicians and this was confirmed by Sarah’s excellent trio support. Rick Simpson on piano, Tom Farmer on bass and Darren Altman on drums are a very tight knit unit and contributed some sterling work throughout the evening.

The appreciative audience was smaller than anticipated but no one doubted the quality of the performance.

On Sunday 6 Nov 2011, Stratford Jazz at The Chapel features the ubiquitous Greg Abate who is travelling once again from the USA to entertain his many followers at Stratford Jazz. Regular punters will know what to expect from this unique musician who has a passionate determination to keep hard-swinging bebopjazz alive. Accompanied by a most accomplished trio led by Craig Milverton - not to be missed! . The performance commences at 8pm and for more info visit www.stratfordjazz.org.uk

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