Photos Ron Milsom
Turn Up And Turn On!
Well, we turned up and were instantly turned on by the helluva show put on by sparkling new group Doxey Box when they appeared on the menu at Soho’s Pizza Express jazz club during a night to remember.
Doxey Box is the concept of singer Ana Gracey together with co-composer and saxophonist Luiza Lale that brings a fresh new sound to the world of jazz, pop and soul. Together with an impressive line up of first class musicians, they unleashed a combination of songs that rocked and rolled the audience into a rare state of high humour and deep emotion.
It was on Wednesday, June 25th when fans, friends and family packed the famous basement club geared up to sample not just pizza’n’lager, but a heady brew of songs that as Ana says ‘Tackle modern issues, with a side order of fun!’
The show began at 8 o’clock with the Doxeys leaping into the fray with ‘5 Chances’. Crammed onto the stage we spied Ru Lemer (keyboards), Simon Baggs (violin), Matt Greaves (guitar), Phil Mulford (bass guitar) and Jack Pollitt (drums).
Ana Gracey in an electric blue dress was in the spotlight joined by Luiza on tenor and alto saxes. It was Ana who set the scene, communicating easily with the audience with asides and explanations, notably when she introduced their second song ‘Gravity’.
“It’s about people who bring you down…but that title does not apply to anybody here.” Her reassuring words set against pointed lyrics, funky keyboard and guitar driven by back beat drums, brought cheers and whistles in their wake.
Ana then revealed “I once lived in an eco village” an experience that inspired ‘Peace In The City’ a Steely Dan-esque piece complete with mellow guitar solo from Matt Greaves. ‘Helluva Day’ was another set of pointed lyrics sparked by vigorous violin from Simon Baggs.
If there is a touch of anger and firm resolve about some of Ana and Luiza’s lyrics they are most evident on the ‘The Rules Do Not Apply To Me’. This song is doubtless inspired by those school days experiences that can cast unhappy memories. Luiza helped set the mood with her funky tenor sax before ‘Don’t Say I Told You’ concluded the first set, Ana singing the slow, soulful ballad with great passion.
THE AMAZING DOXEY BOX!
‘The amazing Doxey Box’ as we heard them described by the compere, was called back from their rest period (possibly in a nearby Soho hostelry) and played with even more vigour and enthusiasm in the second half. They scored a goal right away with ‘Turn Up And Turn On’ with Ru Lemer’s funky keyboard stylings setting the pace.
Later came ‘Grace Kelly’ a song featured on Ana’s Wicked Games 2019 CD. Matt’s guitar and Luiza tenor sax solos helped emphasise how Doxey Box perform together as a real band and not just a backing group. They listen to Ana and each other and are inspired to play even better. That surely is the secret of le vrai jazz.
More happy audience interaction came when Ana launched into ‘I Don’t Care’ and encouraged everyone to shout back the hook line. I felt like grabbing a megaphone and shouting ‘The rules do not apply to me!’ when presented with a bill for my pizza, but decided that was a protest too far.
The rules of brilliant bass playing certainly applied to Phil Mulford when he cut loose on ‘Soundtrack of the Summertime’ revealing not just nimble fingers but warm depth and tone.
Phil had been clearly unfazed by Ana’s jokey introduction. “Here is the moment you’ve all been dreading – a bass solo!” He sure deserved the applause that followed.
Then the moment I was awaiting came when Jack set about his drum kit with a stupendous display of percussive power during his showcase solo. I nearly fell off the stage trying to leap up and offer my compliments. That’s gravity for you.
The show was now reaching a climax with ‘Money Honey’ complete with sexy sax solo from Luiza. Insistent demands for an encore were satisfied with the jumping ‘Ready Steady Go’. Ana had the final words when she said ‘You’ve been a wonderful audience.’ Well, Doxey Box is a wonderful band. CHRIS WELCH