Camilla George, EIF music review: 'formidable energy'
A dynamic saxophonist and her powerful band coalesced at the EIF for some vigorous musical satisfaction, writes Jim Gilchrist.
Camilla George ★★★★
The Hub
London-raised, saxophonist Camilla George’s compositions are rooted in the folklore of Nigeria, where she was born. The restless spirits evoked by her titles can, however, become quite physically corporeal, through her dynamic playing.
In quartet with Renato Paris on piano and keyboard, Daniel Casimir on double bass and drummer Rod Youngs, George got down to business right away, opening with Mami Wata, about a formidable water spirit, its catchy hook riding the formidable energy of the rhythm section, before arcing off in a vigorously boppish solo, Casimir’s warm-toned bass racing alongside.
The title track of her album The People Could Fly, with its vision of transcendence from slavery, introduced a mellow-toned, floating melody which George quickly took on a robust excursion, before a skatting break from Paris. The Wandering Ghosts of another tune took on quite a swagger over walking bass as George’s sax flexed muscle, while Ekpe featured an extended, wah-wah tinged solo on keyboard and a rumbustious break from Youngs that had the audience whooping.
Despite some apparent reed trouble George experienced latterly, there was powerful attack from all four in their up-tempo closing number, Abasi, bringing a satisfying set to a flamboyant close. Jim Gilchrist
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