Momoko Gill - NCH
Words: Brendan White
The Studio upstairs in the National Concert Hall is a perfect room for showcasing intimate, quiet performances and Momoko Gill, an acclaimed member of the young London jazz scene alongside her single accompanist, filled the high-ceilinged room with delicate vocals, loose jazzy drumming, shoulder slung synth, grand piano, prerecorded chopped up violins and electronic broken beats. It seems Momoko and fellow younger travellers of the scene like corto.alto and Alabaster De Plume take an open approach to all and every musical style from the traditionally acoustic jazzy to electro and hip hop. Momoko possesses a steady hand on the drums, a sense of adventure with sonic textures and moods but tops it all with a breathy, close mic soulful voice, bringing the melodic hooks of a classic singer song writer to an innovative modernist musical backing. The lyrics largely focus on the personal and the romantic but touch raw politics with her beautiful hymn to peace in the Gaza: “we’re only free when Palestine is free”. Watch out for her just released live BBC sessions single, “Live at Maida Vale”. A passionate artist with a unique take on the jazz idiom that could cross over to many pop listeners.