An Internet search for ‘Knats’ produces information about those pesky little flying insects, gnats. We don’t suffer from gnats in our house, although we do sometimes have ants in our kitchen. I can tell when the ants are roaming because I can hear Mrs Crotchety muttering to them. Sometimes I think she talks to the ants more than to me but, thankfully, she is much less grumbly with her human companion than she is with the insect invaders.
But, I digress …
This week, I’d like to introduce you to the funky jazz band, Knats and their debut album, Knats (2025). Their artist page on bandcamp describes them as:
“… a quintet led by two lifelong best mates from Newcastle Upon Tyne, Stan Woodward (Bass) and King David-Ike Elechi (Drums), alongside their younger sidekick and virtuoso Trumpeter, Ferg Kilsby, making Geordie Jazz, with sophisticated arrangements, strong melodies and danceable grooves.”
The band’s profile on bandcamp
It’s an accurate summary of their style, but it overlooks the contributions of Sandro Shar (keyboards) and Cam Rossi (tenor sax) on the record.
On the Crotchety scale, this album rates as original and entertaining without quite reaching the astounding level. It goes down well, though, if you’re in the mood for funk-infused jazz that invites you to dance. Tap your feet, move your limbs and groove to the sounds of a provincial band now well on their way to national recognition.
Coda for Entomologists
There’s a panel game on the BBC’s Radio 4 programme in which (among other things) the panellists are asked to sing along to a recording for a minute or two.1 After some 30 seconds, the music is faded out and the contestant must keep going until the faders are turned up again. If the singer is “within a gnat’s crotchet”2 of the record, they win points.3
Footnotes
- It’s called “I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue” and the show, now in its 77th season, is touring the UK again this year. ↩︎
- A short measure of time that varies considerably with the mood of the chairman. ↩︎
- Nobody actually keeps the score! ↩︎
Crotchety Man 