Jazz at the Opera House, Oslo
The opening concert of the Oslo Jazz Festival took place at the new Opera House on the 11th August.
The Norwegian Wind Ensemble, conducted by Maria Schneider, played Porgy & Bess, followed by Sketches of Spain, to a capacity audience.
Solo trumpeter Nicholas Payton used Porgy & Bess to present a laid-back opening set with a smooth and beautiful tone, if somewhat lacking in fire and commitment.
The Opera House, Oslo
But after the interval the band were fronted by the young Norwegian trumpeter Arve Hendriksen, who more than made up for the soporific effects of the early evening, bringing the audience to their feet with his muted and haunting probing of the ghost of Miles Davis.
And, great as this performance was, I was most impressed by the band and the setting and the rapt attention of a knowledgeable and expectant audience.
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