Ana Popovic - Nell’s Jazz & Blues - 28th November, 2018
I have missed every opportunity to see Ana Popovic until this wet and windy Wednesday night in West London. Not wishing to dampen what was an excellent night but I will never appreciate the need for a venue, when no stage times have ever been advised, to hold back the start of a performance by 90 minutes from doors opening, albeit to fuel the bar profits. Get the band on stage early, the band benefits and we can enjoy the full performance without the stress of contemplating catching the last train home.
Rant over, the band eventually presents itself on stage with an introductory instrumental in advance of Ana’s appearance - Michele Papadia on keys, Claudio Giovagnoli on sax and Davide Ghidoni on trumpet - all three Italian - with Americans Buthel Bass and Cedric Goodman forming a fine rhythm section, no reward for guessing who plays what. Ana joins them, Fender Strat slung over her shoulder wearing possibly the pettiest stilettos ever to hit a pedalboard and a “Give me a Kiss” Philipp Plein t-shirt. It is said that, characterised by the spirit of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Philipp Plein makes clothing for those that strive to be above standard - self defining in Ana’s case. She is certainly held in high regard and justifiably so on this showing. She can stand her ground with any guitarist out there, having refined her skills, particularly the jazz element of her playing at the Music Academy during her ten years in Amsterdam and she was the first female guitarist to get invited to join the Experience Hendrix tour in 2014.
Serbian born Ana who has now put her roots down in Los Angeles via Amsterdam and Memphis gave us a ninety minute blues rooted setlist with jazz and funk, touching on New Orleans influences. The availability of a set list is always helpful but suffice it to say Ana and her very impressive band glided through numbers featured on her nine studio album catalogue. Her latest release being “Like It On Top”, a concept album in which she explores ten different aspects of women’s empowerment on ten new songs.
It was evident throughout this performance that Ana Popovic was thankful to be surrounded by outstanding musicians and she brought the gig to a climatic end with a medley that included a version of “Crosstown Traffic” which took on a new life form with the addition of the brass section.
Unfortunately her current wide reaching European tour only included this one UK date but be sure to catch Ana next year when she returns.
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