The latest Fourcroft Jazz Brunch was yet another fine example of top quality ‘live’ music, perfectly pitched to a very appreciative audience. On a very welcome return visit to the venue, the four piece Hot Club Gallois arrived with a hard earned reputation for the quality of their music. They left with an even better one. This performance was right up there with the very best that have graced the floor at this mecca for live music and the musicians who perform it.

Consisting of Xenia Porteous on violin, Richard Jones and Luke Archard on guitars and Mike Morgan on his amazing homemade bass, Hot Club Gallois are another small outfit that generate such spine tingling sounds from their instruments that with your eyes closed, you would think you were surrounded by dozens of them. They play in perfect harmony with each other, with an almost telepathic understanding of who is doing what next. They performed three sets each as good as the last earning, a Jock’s rating of 10/10.

Their music is described as ‘evoking the style and elegance of 1930s Paris, drawing on the passion and romance of the Gypsy Jazz tradition.’ Sounds good to me. Not being around until a long time after the 1930s, I am not in a position to argue and certainly wouldn’t want to. I would describe their music far simpler, totally and absolutely relaxing. They are musicians who take you on a journey. One moment you are on a boat gently sailing down the Seine or relaxing on the river bank on a hot sunny day. Almost at the flick of a switch you are suddenly dancing around a campfire at a traditional Gypsy gathering (but no less relaxed).

The sounds produced by Richard and Luke on their guitars, along with their masterclass of harmonisation was worth the ticket price on its own. Xenia’s performance on violin was equally stunning ensuring that her personal first performance at the Fourcroft will most certainly not be her last. As for bass player and occasional solo vocalist Mike Morgan, he too put in a performance to be proud of. I must confess I love it when a musician turns up with an instrument I have not seen before. I was transfixed for ages on his bass, wondering what sort of technological wizardry he had brought along with him. I and the rest of the brunchers were stunned when Richard casually announced that Mike had been playing a homemade bass that looked nothing like any of the hundreds that had been on the same stage before him. It turns out that he is as good a carpenter as he is a bass player. Have no doubt, he is a very good bass player and not a bad singer too.

They played a wide variety of numbers throwing in the occasional vocal by Richard and Mike.

Numbers included Fools and Kings, All of me, Honeysuckle Rose,After I’ve gone, Putting on the Ritz and Lady be good to me.

My only criticism of this performance and in this case it is a very small one, is that it always makes for a better atmosphere when there is good communication between the performers and their audience. Hot Club Gallois have the talent and ability to establish a rapport quickly via their music. However, it was not until almost the very end when a ‘bruncher’ asked the simple question that everyone else in the room was thinking ‘what are your names.’ That Richard then formally introduced the band to their very appreciative audience. Regular readers of this column will know I would normally make a bigger issue of this. But, to their credit, Hot Club Gallois redeemed themselves by urging the ‘brunchers’ to join in an amusing rendition of ‘King of the swingers.’

Another memorable session of top class live music in the very heart of Tenby enjoyed by both the audience and the musicians who performed it. Looking forward to the next one already. Thanks to Chris, Kath and the staff at the Fourcroft, once again for making it happen.

Allan Morris