McNiff Sings Cohen
Talented local singer/songwriter Jason McNiff is launching a new theatre show at the Stables on 7 May, which is lined up afterwards for dates around the country. Songs of Love Loss and Light is essentially a Leonard Cohen tribute, interwoven with McNiff’s own work and story: basically, a show about inspiration.
The performance places McNiff’s songwriting alongside that of the Canadian master, tracing the thread between influence and originality, and offering a rare glimpse into the enduring art of songcraft.
McNiff has been a substantial feature of the Hastings music scene for at least ten years, as have the other members of the quartet – Richard Moore (versatile violinist), Matt Armstrong (double bass), and multi-instrumental reeds player Bjorn Dahlberg. This show also marks the launch of Jason’s 10th album – a live recording made here in this surprising locality that nurtures so many excellent musicians playing so many kinds of music.
You can catch tracks on YouTube, by the quartet and by McNiff solo. His guitar picking is elegant – he acknowledges an enormous debt to the late Bert Jansch, the simple perfection of whose lyrics and musicianship some of you may remember but if you don’t, find him on streaming platforms to give you an insight into McNiff’s hallmark style. Add a touch of Americana and a touch of authentic blues and you’ll get somewhere near; and with this new performance include Leonard Cohen in the mix.
Jason McNiff and his band explore songs of Love Loss and Light at the Stables theatre on 7 May.
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