Jazz Gig: Colette Cassidy
Looking for somewhere romantic and different to take a first date? Or an old flame? Or just to appreciate some old fashioned session music? To be whisked back in time? If you like jazz or want to check out some passionate talented musicians, a Colette Cassidy gig may be just the ticket.
A few girlfriends and I caught them in JJ Smyth’s earlier this month and we all loved it. The atmosphere was as close to a smokey New Orleans jazz joint as you get without the smoke. The stage seemed insanely small but somehow they’d managed to cram on a piano, full drum kit and a double bass and left just enough space for the singer.
Colette had the audience enthralled with her note-perfect, crooning covers of jazz standards from the late 30s and 40s including You Go To My Head and Satin Doll, tales of loves lost, loves found and loves dreamed of. The night really started swinging with a bluesy version of Teach Me Tonight breaking the melody down into solos by each musician. Greg Felton had our shoulders shaking on piano, Andrew Csibi had our hips swinging on double bass and Philip Mac Mullan had our toes tapping on drums. Colette herself performed some great scat but the real star of the show that night was the amazingly talented Richie Buckley on saxophone. Performing from a table half the time, he literally blew us all away. Unfortunately, their guitarist, Drazen Derek wasn’t there the night we saw them but I’ve seen him play this style before and he is a truly exceptional guitarist. 
You can check them out yourself at the Jazz Kitchen in The Grand Social on Wed 12th October. Admission €5 and back in JJ Smyth’s on 14th and 16th October Admission €10. Worth every penny.
About the Author
Jenny Foxe Always looking for something to do that will get me out of cooking dinner. http://www.overcomingmountains.wordpress.com
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Sorry guys. Colette is in JJ Smyths on October 14th and December 16th not October 16th as it says in post.