Infectious Ebullience From Class Music Act

Manuatu International Jazz and Blues Festival. Night 2: The Jews Brothers Band, Globe Theatre, Palmerston North, June 1, 2005

"Too much talent to be famous" is almost an over obvious description for The Jews Brothers Band. A title track from one of their albums, the line succinctly defines this incredibly quirky, multi-instrumental and eclectic musical assemblage.

Practically defying classification, the group is part gypsy carnival, with slices of Jewish wedding, ladles of Russian and Eastern European Folk heritage, embellished with soupcons of circus, theatre, clowning and cabaret, spliced with tales from the Torah.

While certainly not fraternal, three members of the quintet are actually Jewish. The Jews Brothers Band with its conspicuous pun on The Blues Brothers, also boasts three foundation members of the popular Nairobi Trio. There's jazz accordion-meister Hershal, vocalist extraordinaire and melodica player Linn Lorkin, and guitar virtuoso Nigel Gavin, who masters a seven-string, plus an eleven-string fretless guitar.

Boosted by the nimble fingers of ex-Brit bassist Peter Scott with Kiwi John Ellis on saxes and percussion, the band roves gaily through a largely European jazz and folk tradition with considerable snap, style and humour.

Over-riding their tremendous individual musical abilities and unique sound, is the infectious exuberance that accompanies the free-flow performance. It didn't take much encouragement to get hands clapping and feet tapping, and for the audience to bawl out appropriate bits of chorus.

Last night was the band's first appearance in Palmerston North. They may be back in October. Don't miss them!

Richard Mays, Manawatu Standard 2/6/05