Jaga Jazzist & The Britten Sinfonia - The Barbican, London - 16th June 2012 (Live Review)
Monday, 25 June 2012
Written by Ben Bland
Some musicians are very hard to describe, some musical events likewise. How on earth do you capture in words the extraordinary nature of a band like Jaga Jazzist? More to the point, how on earth do you capture the extraordinary nature of their performance alongside the Britten Sinfonia?
The fact that, by the end of the evening, the debut UK performance of Lars Horntveth’s 'Kaleidoscope' will be almost forgotten by many onlookers speaks volumes for the excellence of this evening as a whole. As the creative lynchpin of Jaga Jazzist Lars Horntveth is known for his brave approach to melody and arrangement but still, at times, 'Kaleidoscope' pushes things to a whole new level for him. A 38 minute piece that utilises numerous members of the band alongside the orchestral accompaniment of the Sinfonia, 'Kaleidoscope' pushes into the realm of the truly stunning on more than one occasion, stopping off at neoclassical minimalism, cocktail jazz and even Radiohead-esque art rock along the way.
‘Stunning’ has never been sufficient to describe Jaga Jazzist’s live show. The mere sight of all the musicians on stage with their chosen tools is enough to whet the appetite quite considerably but the exquisite beauty of tracks like 'One-Armed Bandit' and 'Oslo Skyline' with the added presence of the Britten Sinfonia is even more in need of new superlatives.
The music this band create has never been crying out for orchestral involvement, but it would be difficult to claim that this added facet to the band’s sound is anything but a delight. Whilst occasionally it may feel like band and orchestra are in danger of progressing down separate roads, this is largely because of the immense complexity of Jaga Jazzist’s arrangements and not because of any particular failings on either side.
So, when answering the questions I posed at the start of this review I find myself, still, rather lost for words. This performance is one of such devastating brilliance that it is no wonder Jaga Jazzist, and indeed the Britten Sinfonia, receive two full standing ovations from the entire audience inside The Barbican. Rarely have I seen members of a crowd so enraptured and enthralled by a set. The rabid reaction to the band’s return to the stage for a couple of numbers without the Sinfonia speaks volumes though of how much this is down to the incredible music this band produces. Talent and a willing to experiment with one of Britain’s most respected chamber orchestras is one thing, being able to make music that speaks volumes with its sheer joyous greatness is another. In order to capture Jaga Jazzist in words then it becomes necessary to move dangerously close to hyperbole; perhaps Jaga Jazzist are not the best band on the planet, but I’ll be damned if they are not the most exciting.
'One-Armed Bandit', the latest album by Jaga Jazzist, is out now via Ninja Tune.
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The fact that, by the end of the evening, the debut UK performance of Lars Horntveth’s 'Kaleidoscope' will be almost forgotten by many onlookers speaks volumes for the excellence of this evening as a whole. As the creative lynchpin of Jaga Jazzist Lars Horntveth is known for his brave approach to melody and arrangement but still, at times, 'Kaleidoscope' pushes things to a whole new level for him. A 38 minute piece that utilises numerous members of the band alongside the orchestral accompaniment of the Sinfonia, 'Kaleidoscope' pushes into the realm of the truly stunning on more than one occasion, stopping off at neoclassical minimalism, cocktail jazz and even Radiohead-esque art rock along the way.
