Here's what one local promoter wrote of the UJG. We think it says it all....

The Urban Jazz Guerrillas

Not “nice” at all

  The one thing that will not happen at the end of a UJG set is a camera pan to a wispily bearded music critic delivering banal praise - because despite openly (and courageously considering their policy of playing as wide range of venues as possible) espousing the “jazz” label, this band are not “nice” at all

The Urban Jazz Guerrillas mount lightning raids on territory normally patrolled by rock and indie bands - and as in all guerrilla warfare they are either heroes or villains, depending on which side you are on. If you believe that contemporary music is all about pandering to the lowest common denominator, that attitude is more important than talent and that there is no longer any place for virtuosity, then UJG are your enemy. If you aspire to a music that thrives on excellence of conception and execution and you recognise that the indefinable quality of “soul” comes from musical ability more than posturing on stage - you are part of the true underground and UJG are your champions.   

 Graham Young is a guitarist who has brought the energy of rock into the musical forms of Jazz. There is no shortage of attitude as he struts his stuff across the stage (and he has a lot of stuff to strut!) - but that attitude is backed up by huge quantities of raw talent and dedication. He invites comparison with Carlos Santana as complex runs soar to heart-piercing crescendos that give that brief glimpse of something transcendent that the best of jazz - and rock - has always been about.

 The band provide the grail that contains the fire of the music - Michael Berridge uses the Fender Rhodes both to provide underlying structure and  to engage in musical dialogues with Graham’s guitar that raise the temperature. His synth work adds new layers of pure sparkle to the mix - while the rhythm section of Scott Devine (fretless bass) and Martin Davies (drums) provide the solid framework that is so essential - not without adding some  surprises of their own to the pot.

 If you are into jazz but like that extra bit of excitement -or if you still hold to the true spirit of rock and feel that something is missing between the blandness of indie and the talent-free poseurs of the so-called rock’n’roll revival - then next time there is an Urban Jazz Guerilla’s raid - don’t hide behind the walls, open the gates of the city and let them in.

Steve Kind – Panama Promotions  2003