Saint Luke’s, Glasgow
29th Jan, 2026
A great jazz night unfolded at a Connections gig in Glasgow’s ever popular Saint Luke’s venue. The light were funky, the stage aglow and vocals shifting. The two groups (a gathering of like-minded jazz musicians) in succession were named support Ariane Mamon, something stirred in the crowd as she burst into incredible vocals and Mama Terra.
The jazz was of the highest order from a band who still have their youth. Being a group of four the levels lifted in Ariane’s elegantly mystical dress (creating a visual vibe true to itself and its surroundings.) She is heralded for these vocals that outshine and out skill other modern jazz vibes, jams or groups way out by a long way.
When she sang she was highly animated with hand and arm gestures coming as a soul for another way of living. Back to the wild and celebrating the fierceness of nature herself, her appearance and music filled to overflowing infusing in her great strength and unique vocal descriptions.
I could write on about this magically sufficient encounter but I must on to the evenings Saint Luke’s Celtic connections headliner Mama Terra. Taking their name from Latin Mama Terra translates as Mother Earth, it took a jazz performance to increase awareness over our connection’s in life (nature) offering up an unlimited invitation for living better through the music and performance.
The night showed few vocals, Mama’s group of 6 invaded the stage to help themselves to some very celebratory music again based on the propensity and profundity of that musical movement jazz. A style that has had endless friends collaborate as these guys were about to do. Hitting us with a sax and trombone ready to spill their lungs out and all but catch fire.
It’s funny because Jazz has a very summoning quality, their 2023 (young act) album release was title ‘The Summond’ a choice that showcases their commitment of rediscovering our world on fire and return to the wild. Their look was wild, long beards, playing together in an almost unfathomable weight of measurement, keys, long double bass, quiet in the loud.
Their extending reach transferred and transformed and again something stirred in the crowd, some kind of response from where we were not sure. Mama are fresh from an extensive UK tour last year, 2025, to promote the Album ‘Chameleon’. And interchanging had its presence at the root of this performance, the filled stage had piano, Sax, Trombone, vocal, percussion and again little lyrics. Melodies and solos were shared but the enlivening happening commanded the room in fits of pleasure, lungs filling to full capacity.
The layout of this previous church is a fascinating one for bands and crowds alike. This was Mama’s first concert there, the gallery loomed large but was closed to the public. Looking up you see a ceiling high above you where the music rises to. Brass and wood are always a marvel to see, glimmering and glinting the group played so well I imagine the instruments couldn’t have enough of their finger work and close concern.
Healing and enlivenment was onstage last night, making a massive point with the two acts vocals that stretch the performers and the room with an abundant vibe, coming from somewhere deep, somewhere new and having the pace of jazz as a good friend for skilful celebrating.
Daniel Donnelly
themumble.uk 