Dreams Are Free: A Celebration of Bobby Wellins
University of Chichester's Showroom Theatre, 6 April 2024
(Review by Pete Woodman)
L-R: Mark Edwards, Mornington Lockett, Steve Watts, Spike Wells
This was so much more than a concert. It was a true celebration of the life and work of the great Bobby Wellins, with friends and family in attendance. The audience also included Adrian Kendon (from Bobby's Quartet) and multi-instrumentalist Chris Biscoe.
The evening commenced with Gary Barber's documentary Dreams Are Free, which is a beautifully crafted and detailed portrayal of the great tenor player. It shows Bobby going into great detail on his experiences throughout his career - from meeting players such as Bob Brookmeyer in New York, to a refreshing honesty about his experiences with drugs - all tinged with a light and self-deprecating humour.
In a 2018 London Jazz News interview, the film's director said "My camera operator/co-producer, Paul Dutnall, and I went over to Bobby's House with a camera and one light because we thought, let's just do a test, see what it's like filming in Bobby's living room. Three hours later and Bobby was still talking!". On the evidence of the film, listening to Bobby recount his experiences was as mesmerising as seeing him play live, which sadly I only managed on one occasion.
The second half of the evening was given over to a performance of a selection of Bobby's music by a quartet, all of whose members had plenty of experince working with the great man. Spike Wells (drums), Steve Watts (bass), Mark Edwards (piano) and Mornington Lockett (tenor sax) played a fine and varied set featuring such tunes as What's Happening, Aura and What Is The Truth?, winding up with Bobby's tribute to Clifford Brown, CUCB.
Spike Wells (top), Mornington Lockett (above)
The event was superbly staged by the University of Chichester's Show Room Theatre. I left having gained a significant insight into the life of one of the true greats of British Jazz and having experienced a great gig too!
All phots by Pete Woodman
Originally posted 8 April 2024
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