Hmm, the saxophone may not be beyond reprieve after all! Quinteto Mambo Jambo played in Hull last night, and I went over to check ‘em out… partly because it’s interesting to see how Latin music can be played with fewer than six people, and partly just because. Mambo Jambo are essentially a duo of multi-instrumentalists: Pete on lots of variants of the guitar, and a cowbell played with his foot, and Frankie who plays flute, sax, clarinet and seemingly anything else that comes within her arm’s reach. They had an additional backline of bass, conga/bongo and a guest timbalero. The backline was able and adequate, some great soloing but a couple of cases of lost timing, but the duo at the front really shone. The sensitivity and cooperation in the playing was really outstanding and the vibe was really friendly, intimate, and uptempo. Even the saxophone actually contributed rather than detracted :-)

Download The River from http://www.mambojambo.org/quinteto.htm for an example of that lovely playing!

The only real criticism is that the foot-pedal cowbell can’t swing like a proper campanero.  Pete, Frankie: drop me a line, my rates are competitive!