Leeds Jazz Festival 2025 continued with Camilla George at Howard Assembly Room, and what a show it was. From the cast of thousands the previous night, we were given a superb set by a quartet – quite the contrast.
Camilla George is a female saxophonist, composer, bandleader and innovator, with all of the components being in evidence at this concert. Her music reflects her African roots, in Nigeria, but fusing that element with a western vibe, which makes it so interesting – and entertaining. I loved the riffs on the funky pieces, which I found to be more accessible to my untrained ear, although the line-up made even the technically intricate improvisations, more absorbing than normal.
Camilla George, sax, Jihad Darwish, bass, and Rod Youngs, drums. Renato Paris, on keys and vocals was on the left, obscured by a head in the audience.
As you can see, the lighting, whilst a real mood setter, was not very conducive to photography. As usual, the tech guys at Howard Assembly Room, got their priorities right! There are better ones later – photos – not tech guys!
The numbers performed, spanned Ms George’s whole career, with samples from her first album, Isang, through to her current one, Ibio-Ibio, which comes in a limited edition gold plated version, and, quite by coincidence, was available on the merch stand.
Camilla George’s playing was exemplary, and so it should be, she began at the age of 11 when she won a competition, the first prize in which was saxophone lessons. The gift that keeps on giving. The hitherto unseen, Renato Paris, utilised electronic keyboards as well as the Room’s amazing Steinway grand piano. His vocals had an etherial quality not usually associated with this genre but carried the audience to a wonderful place. Jihad Darwish also had all basses covered – see what I did there – playing in the conventional manner as well as in classical and lead guitar styles. Finally, Rod Youngs, whose drumming was amazing. I dabbled in the drums for a while, when a callow youth, and am pleased I gave them up. Had I not, this evening I would have been like a club golfer watching Tiger Woods in his prime.
L to R: The elusive Renato Paris, Camilla George, Jihad Darwish and Rod Youngs.
I thoroughly enjoyed this concert which, sadly, did not get the audience numbers it so richly deserved. I suppose that that is the downside to Festivals, there is possibly too great a choice on any given night.
Should you wish to see Camilla George in person I am afraid that you will have to wait until 20th June, and then make the trip to Zeeland Jazz in Middelburg, Holland. Never fear, however, as you can enjoy the band playing in Rotterdam on this clip. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pjCX4RlIIQ
For more details about her try https://www.camillageorge.com/
You’re welcome.
For further events in Leeds Jazz Festival, which runs until 27th May, it is https://www.leedsjazzfestival.com/
Coming gigs at Howard Assembly Room are at https://www.operanorth.co.uk/event-tag/har/
Feature image from Opera North. Photographs by Stan Graham
Tyke It To The Limit 