Phillip Bent Launches New Album With Jean Toussaint And Tony Rèmy
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Original Jazz Warriors flautist Phillip Bent launched his first album in 15 years at the Jazz Cafe in London last night with a band that included saxophonist Jean Toussaint, guitarist Robin Banerjee, percussionist Phillip Harper, two singers and late in the two hour set, guitarist Tony Rémy.
Not at all old school smooth jazz as the album might hint, the live show allowed the band to move instead into a different space with good rapport especially between the excellent bassist, Bent and intelligent response from guitarist Banerjee better known for his work with Jazz Jamaica and Amy Winehouse. Wired singer Krysten Cummings went a little bit too far at times but really impressed vocally while overall the healthy Camden turn-out was treated to the return of a fine musician who hopefully will tour with a sextet-sized group plus singers later in the year. Stephen Graham