The group started with a swinging minor-key tune, Big Bertha by Duke Pearson. Vincent Herring took the first solo, employing a powerful attack and hard-driving lines. Catalan guitarist Joan Fort followed with flowing bebop phrases integrated with chordal textures, reminding me a little of Barney Kessel’s approach to the guitar-trio format.
This was followed by Morning Star, a harmonically intriguing tune by Hubert Laws. Standards included Sweet And Lovely, A Foggy Day, and a reharmonised bossa version of Embraceable You, on which Vincent Herring fully demonstrated his ability to play a ballad.
On the Wes Montgomery tune Road Song, Joan Fort played octaves with his thumb à la Wes, followed by a skilful chord solo trading fours with drummer David Puime. Bassist Philip Lewin and drummer David Puime provided excellent support without overplaying, perfectly suited to the guitar-trio plus horn context.
Appropriately for the group’s only UK gig, Vincent Herring announced that the final two tunes would be by British composers. On Billy Reid’s The Gypsy (as recorded by Charlie Parker on the infamous Lover Man session), Vincent played an emotive solo spiced with rapid flurries of notes. This was followed by Victor Feldman’s The Chant, a soulful gospel-blues style tune favoured by Cannonball Adderley.
The combination of horn and guitar (without piano) was very enjoyable, and it was great to hear a new (to me) guitarist of such quality.
Joan Fort Trio featuring Vincent Herring. Watermill Jazz Club, Betchworth Park Golf Club, Dorking, 20 May 2025. Vincent Herring (alto sax); Joan Fort (guitar); Philip Lewin (bass); David Puime (drums)
