Loose Tubes (Credit: Mark Allan)
I first saw Loose Tubes at Portsmouth Pavilion in 1988. I interviewed keyboardist and composer Django Bates backstage as I was a reporter on the local radio station and I have a feeling it was the first ‘professional’ jazz interview I ever did.
At that time jazz was enjoying a brief moment of mainstream interest. At the centre of that were two new British big bands causing a stir – The Jazz Warriors and Loose Tubes. I liked both, although to be honest at that point I probably didn’t fully get some of the stuff Loose Tubes were doing. I saw them a few times after that but really it was as I followed Django and other ‘Tubers’ subsequent projects, I began to become a big retrospective fan.
When Jazz on 3 heard there was a reunion in the offing we jumped at the chance to record one of the nights from their week-long run at Ronnie Scott's in Soho. We also began talking about commissioning new music and Django insisted from the off that four original members would write a piece. It proved to be an inspired idea. Flautist Eddie Parker, trumpeter Chris Batchelor and the band's original bassist Steve Berry all joined Django in bringing compositions to the table, and Eddie, Steve and Chris have written some illuminating and incredibly detailed notes on their pieces for us, which you can read here.
Seeing the band back in action at Ronnie Scott’s was amazing, an event in the genuine sense. The old music sounded vibrant and still fresh and the new compositions, while progressive, slotted right in. One thing that really stood out for me was the link to another big band I really love – Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood of Breath – there’s the South African influence but also a sense that you can have really free, chaotic moments and then hit a big, swinging groove.
The band's MC, trombonist Ashley Slater, is a funny guy and always brought another element to the band’s shows. I have got to know him well over the years and was even once in a band with him - we released a terrible record (a house version of Milestones if you must ask). So I forgive him for mercilessly taking the mickey out of me on the night Jazz on 3 were at Ronnies.
But more importantly, the whole atmosphere inside the club was incredible - what a place to hear a big band. And it made me think about how great bands break down that barrier between them and the audience: the fact that the musicians had to walk through tables to play their solos; the banter back and forth. It was a joyful evening, and if you can’t wait until tonight’s programme, here’s a sneak preview from the gig:
Tune in to hear the full performance on Jazz on 3 this Monday 09 June at 11pm or listen online for seven days after broadcast.
Jez
If you have comments about the show, or requests for music you’d like to hear, do get in touch at jazzon3@bbc.co.uk or on twitter at @BBCJazzon3.
