CityLife

Mica Paris + Julian Joseph

WELCOME BACK!: Mica Paris at BOTW

THE familiar symbol of the beret-clad, jazz-bearded aficionado – picked out in red neon above the stage – seemed to beam down his appreciation as Mica Paris wrapped her muscular tones around Summertime.

As Mica emoted, the Julian Joseph Trio summoned a brisk yet urbane rhythm, very much Gershwin vintage 2009.

Yes, the Band on the Wall, long Manchester’s spiritual home of jazz and world music, was back better than ever after almost five years silence and a £4m overhaul.

And it was a crowd-pleaser of a set by which Joseph broke in the Steinway, and Paris proved that, yes, some of that cash has gone towards the best PA money can buy.

Launch party

This launch party heard a few words from various worthies, including city council leader Sir Richard Leese, about the Band On The Wall’s unique place in Manchester life. But the music somehow said it better.

Joseph got the party started, mustering an epic version of Chick Corea’s La Fiesta. He is a pianist capable of hinting at everything from the florid virtuosity of Oscar Peterson to the economy and angularity of Thelonious Monk.

But every bit as vital to the business was powerhouse drummer Jerry Brown and double bassist Mark Hodgson, who, in the second set with Paris, propelled that version of Summertime deliciously.

A smoky rendition of God Bless The Child hit the spot, as did I’ve Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good, with Joseph commending Paris’s version as equal to those of Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole.

By the time the sinuous latin groove of The Ghetto struck up, the assembled company were up on the dance floor – parquet reclaimed from a south Manchester school – and singing along.