Louise Balkwill and Lewis Taylor Photo credit: Trevor Clifford

Sebastian writes:

Vocalist Louise Balkwill, originally from Leicestershire, almost filled the 606 for her quintet’s debut on Wednesday 22 August. For a gig in the quietest month of the year, that is an impressive achievement in itself.

She has a regular duo with Serbian-born, Cyprus-raised guitarist Stefan Melovski, and I found their two duo numbers Guess Who I Saw Today and Lush Life the most satisfying of the set I heard. Video here by Jason Brooks.

Melovski has that Tal Farlow-ish way of stretching his hands to find the most tasty and tasteful of chords, and in the duo format their balance and their timing, both musical and dramatic, were to be marvelled at. For the quintet, they were joined by the eloquent trumpet of Lewis Taylor, the fleet bass playing of Pete Komor and the cheerfully supportive drumming of Rod Oughton.

These photos are by Trevor Clifford. They capture the spirit of this well-attended debut. And if the 606 seems miraculously and unusually flooded with light in these pictures, then that must be something to do the combination of Trevor Clifford’s artistry as a photographer… and Louise Balkwill’s character.

Stefan Melovski Photo credit: Trevor Clifford

Rod Oughton Photo credit: Trevor Clifford

Lewis Taylor Photo credit: Trevor Clifford

Pete Komor Photo credit: Trevor Clifford

Louise Balkwill Photo credit: Trevor Clifford