SONGS OF THE SILVER SCREEN

Bush Hall

★★★★

“A great night of music, movies and magic”

Italian-born and London-based, Francesca Confortini has the confidence and sophistication to wander onto the stage almost unnoticed. With little fanfare, she is suddenly there, poised at the microphone, waiting for her band to launch into the opening number. Hers is an unassuming personality that belies the depth, range and versatility of a soulful voice, unafraid to interpret songs we know and love in a unique way. Her latest venture is “Songs of the Silver Screen”; an evening of cinematic musical hits that blends vintage jazz with Hollywood glamour courtesy of Brian Clemens and his big band.

It’s hard to know how to label the show – whether it is The Brian Clemens Jazz Orchestra featuring Francesca Confortini, or whether to give the singer top billing. But we realise all too soon that it doesn’t matter, such is the symbiotic collaboration of voice and music. Clemens, though, does seem to be the one in charge with his comfortable stage presence. A true master of ceremonies, he paid his dues on the Los Angeles jazz scene before moving over here and creating his jazz orchestra. Hooking up with Confortini has become a regular thing – and it shows. The combination works so well. Confortini is in safe hands, even though they are pretty busy skating up and down the keyboard while also conducting the band. All the while Clemens is having the time of his life. Passion rules the show.

The evening opens with the title theme from ‘Grease’. A crowd-pleasing choice and one that thrusts the saxophones, trumpets and trombones to the fore. Like the lyrics from another of the film’s songs, ‘it’s electrifying’. Confortini’s vocals are a bit lost in the mix, but as the evening moves through its eclectic setlist, her voice rises and dips as it surfs on the glorious waves of sound. Via a burst of Latin rhythms, we are next treated to a sultry ‘Goldfinger’, before one of Clemens’ own compositions that could have been written for Confortini herself. But then we are back in the film world with the sumptuous ‘You’re My World’ from ‘Last Night in Soho’, shifting from the minor to the major keys with its swaying glissandos. Clemens precedes many of the numbers with some light-hearted banter about the film in question (every film appears to be his favourite!). At one point, video footage accompanies the instrumental breaks. Francesca sits in the audience to watch a scene from the De Niro classic ‘Taxi Driver’ while Brian and the boys weave their magic – all muted trumpets and tender woodwind.

The quieter moments allow the full expression of Confortini’s voice to truly cut through. A smoky, jazzy ‘Moon River’ gently meanders away from the written melody, while the second act opens with just her and Clemens on piano. Again, we barely notice her entrance, until the piano chords seductively guide her into a stirring, stripped-back rendition of ‘Over the Rainbow’. The band then return, and we’re back into the full swing – sweeping through some great films and even greater songs. ‘It’s a Fine Life’ from ‘Oliver!’ is given a complete makeover with Clemens’ big band arrangement, and the evening reaches new heights with Confortini’s belting ‘Skyfall’ (which, if not the sky, threatens to bring the venue’s roof falling to the ground).

As we near the end of the set, we veer away from the movies with a medley of Beatles and Temptations (‘Get Back’ and ‘Get Ready’). Confortini surprises us with some virtuosic scatting, duelling with the trumpet. The audience is on their feet now. There is a slight dip for the first encore with the old wedding favourite ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’, but we are swiftly back on track with ‘Route 66’. Clemens is pounding the keys, Confortini is on fire now and the band look like they want to carry on all night.

The gig ends on a high. We’ve had a whistle-stop tour of the movie world, but more crucially a whirlwind ride through the music world. Jazz, blues, musical theatre, pop, gypsy, Latin, torch songs, foot tappers and more. Francesca Confortini takes a little while to warm up, but when she gets there, she scorches. Brian Clemens is her perfect accompanist: pianist, arranger and bandleader extraordinaire. But the ovation is for the whole band too. A great night of music, movies and magic.

Tag Archives: Brian Clemens Jazz Orchestra

SONGS OF THE SILVER SCREEN

★★★★

UK Tour

SONGS OF THE SILVER SCREEN

Bush Hall

★★★★

“A great night of music, movies and magic”