Heather Cairncross with David Newton

Magdalena | 03rd June 2012 - 7:35 pm

First Class !

Impeccable phrasing,timing,beautiful tonality,a varied selection of songs and a lovely warm and generous personality ... Heather Cairncross is a very fine artist indeed and was joined by the creme de la creme of jazz musicians last Sunday at The Brunswick , Brighton with David Newton on piano, Steve Thompson on double bass, Robert Heasman on trumpet and Jim Whyte on drums. They each brought their own brand of magic to the performance . I bought the Cd 'At last' which has David Newton on piano accompanying her singing and I have to say that I haven't stopped playing it since .... It shimmers with a musical eloquence and subtlelty . Truely first class ! Magdalena Reising

beechglade | 29th May 2012 - 11:34 am

Jazz as it should be

You can go to the most celebrated Jazz venues in the country, but why bother? I went to see Heather Cairncross and Dave Newton in the intimate surroundings of The Brunswick in Hove and was treated to a world calss performance. Heather's warmth, humour and unique musicality brought life into some wonderful old standards, my personal favourite being an amazing up tempo version of "At Last". David's instinctive and inspired accompaniment was never intrusive and always faultless

grade3 | 28th May 2012 - 10:32 pm

A very special talent.

I wish Heather Cairncross would spend less time jetting around the world on tour with symphony orchestras and choirs and spent a bit more time at home delighting her fans here in the UK. We were all treated to one of her all too rare appearances last night as part of the Brighton Fringe Festival and what night it was. Not only was she singing songs from her new album 'At Last' with her 'partner in crime' Dave Newton - ten times winner of the British Jazz Awards on piano, but on this occasion she also invited some very special friends on Bass, Drums and Trumpet to accompany her on a variety of other songs. What a consummate talent this lady is, one minute she's tearing up Mahler or Beethoven with the LSO and the next minute she is knocking us out with her own very special interpretation of standards from the Great American Song Book! How does she do it? I can't wait to hear her do it all again. Soon I hope!

Simon Fant | 28th May 2012 - 9:46 pm

A song, a voice, a piano

Voice and piano combined brilliantly last night at The Brunswick in the form of Heather Cairncross and Dave Newton. Heather is one of the few singers on the U.K jazz scene capable of telling stories with such dramatic narrative focus that the audience are literally hanging on every syllable. Last night was a case in point. Any cosy familiarity found in lyrics as well known as "What Are You Doing For The Rest of My Life" were shattered by Heather’s impeccable poised delivery; bringing insights and aspects to the song I'd never appreciated, so much so that the climax of the bridge - "candles on the cake" - sent a shiver down my spine and I suspect the spines of most of the sell-out audience. Heather’s effortless command of lyrics is combined with a warm, full voice that might have the lightest touches of Ella but in truth is all her own. It is a voice that beguiles and never bullies. Dave Newton meanwhile gave a master- class in the art of piano accompaniment; following Heather's every vocal twist and turn. Whether in tempo, rubato, latin or swing, Dave never once coasted but instead showed endless invention with bold harmonic choices, audacious solos and note perfect voicings. The show moved from duo to trio with the appearance of an amazing drummer, Jim Whyte, who played wonderful hand drums on one number. Two other guests followed; the wonderfully melodic double bass player Steve Thompson (featured in witty duet with Heather on Snap Your Fingers) and the heartbreaking Chet-like trumpet of Rob Heasemen. With this full band, the second set was a driving, swinging affair that had the audience tapping their feet. This was Heather, Dave and the boys giving a lesson in how jazz and popular song should combine to form a life affirming union where each element as equal billing and not the two ferrets wrestling in a sack that afflicts so much of jazz vocals in this country. The show ended as it began - a song, a voice, a piano and two artists who deserved the long, ecstatic applause from the audience.

Jazz2012 | 28th May 2012 - 7:52 pm

Rare talent

Accomplished, professional, inventive, versatile, spontaneous, honest and vital. Heather Cairncross manages to deliver performances of consistently high calibre whilst remaining open enough (it's risky!) to respond instinctively to the given moment; it makes for an exhilaratingly fresh and uniquely personal result. It was a treat to hear her happy collaboration with David Newton live at the Brunswick again last night. Her new album, 'At Last', also featuring David Newton, is simply beautiful.

Vic40 | 28th May 2012 - 4:44 pm

Superb performance

Two world class professionals. Heather Cairncross and David Newton surpassed themselves last night. Heather's singing was accurate and expressive, and her ability to interpret and project the meaning of a song is unique and very special. This was a master class in how to communicate. David's accompaniment and solo playing was virtuosic and inventive. The whole performance was executed with intelligence, elegance and humour. It was personal too, in that Heather manages to inject so much of herself into a song, whilst at the same time touching deeply each member of the audience. I and my family who came with me left with a feeling that we had been present at something very special.