De Wilde bunch

As part of the Dublin Jazz Festival this year, Vicar St. was treated to a visit from two of the biggest names on the hipper underground jazz scene in France. Erik Truffaz and Laurent de Wilde are both known for their desire to expand the traditional jazz vocabulary through the use of modern, edgier beats, rythms and samples.

First on stage was headline act Truffaz, ably assisted by three musicians on guitar, double bass and drums. Despite his reputation as an innovative and modern jazz man, Truffaz seemed disappointingly traditional and downbeat. His trumpet led the way through what can best be described as a pretty standard jazz landscape sometimes reminiscent of a film score.

It wanders along nicely, sounds pleasant enough, but lacks the passion and direction to pull you in. Of course the musicianship is flawless, but to commend a jazz musician merely for being technically skilled would be rather like praising a basketball player just for being tall.

And besides, it is perfectly possible to be good and boring at the same time.

There were some highlights, often provided by Philippe Garcia, who took on the role of the showman and quickly got the audience vote through little bursts of wizardry on the drums. But overall, it was a slightly limp affair and a case of preaching to the converted.

Laurent de Wilde and his six-piece band proved a real treat. While Truffaz was cautious and gentle, De Wilde was big, loud and very engaging. The audience quickly got to its feet as the Frenchmen launced into a hopping, creative musical explosion that incorporated jungle rythms, drum and bass, African cowbells and a whole lot more. A recurring acid jazz flavour contributed to the fresh feel of the sound and this was a thoroughly enjoyable exercise in creative expression at its best.