The 2010 World Cup will be remembered, if for nothing else, for the incessant droning which could be heard over the television coverage: Mick McCarthy.
I am not the first to note that the standard of commentary has been less than stellar during this tournament; so when I stumbled across a listing for the somewhat obliquely-monikered World Cup Jazz Ball at the Vortex Club in Dalston, my curiosity was naturally piqued.
The format of the event runs thus: a live World Cup football match is projected onto a big screen in the club. The volume from the television feed is muted. On stage are two teams, each consisting of three musicians apiece, who nominally represent the two countries participating in the match. They watch the game, along with the audience, and perform improvisational jazz as the match unfolds.
South Korea, on this occasion, were represented by the tuba, the saxophone and a multi-instrumentalist with a steel drum, a piccolo trumpet a mouth-organ and a sampler. Opposing them were Uruguay, whose line-up featured a double bass, a drumkit and an electric guitar.
As the match commenced, so did the live soundtrack. And as the footballers blended teamwork and individual skill to great aesthetic effect, so the musicians ably combined the same ingredients, to the obvious aural pleasure of the audience.
It took a short time for the musicians to find their rhythm and to be able to read each others’ game; but once they clicked, the results were enticing. That initial sonic confusion was very brief, and soon gave way to some highly accomplished flowing moves. But – perhaps in contrast to the on-field action – the two teams of performers worked together to created an overall harmony, while still managing to distinctly represent their respective teams.
The creativity of the musicians was impressive. Not only did they manage to build up the tension and tempo of the match as it ensued, they equally relieved it with flourishes of humour which would make Mark Lawrensen green with envy. And who knew that a double bass could so accurately represent the ball brushing over a goalkeeper’s outstretched fingertips?
This event was novel, light-hearted and brilliantly played out in equal measure. And on the pitch, South Korea can feel unlucky not to have progressed in the competition.
Further World Cup Jazz Ball events are happening during the tournament, and on today’s evidence, they come strongly recommended. Check the Vortex Club’s website for details.