Pino Palladino & Blake Mills feat. Sam Gendel and Chris Dave- The Gate

It’s sometimes hard to get across to people in Cardiff that one of the most revered bass players in the world is from here. Pino Palladino — the quietly legendary session bassist whose credits span D’Angelo, The Who, John Mayer, Nine Inch Nails, Adele and more — had just been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Welsh Music Prize the night before this gig. The ceremony featured personal video tributes from the likes of Miley Cyrus, Elton John and Jools Holland, alongside the Welsh music industry celebrating one of its most esteemed musicians.

His latest project, featuring long-time collaborator Chris Dave on drums, performed tracks from the brand-new album That Wasn’t a Dream, co-produced with Blake Mills on guitar and also featuring Sam Gendel on saxophone and EWI. Together they delivered a set of subtle but astonishing musicianship. Fretless bass and guitar brought a unique nuance to tone and phrasing, while Gendel’s EWI added shifting textures to an already rich jazz-fusion palette — all locked into deep grooves and an effortless head-nod feel. Virtuosity was quietly in full effect, and a transfixed audience knew this was a special gig.

People had travelled from across the UK, including respected jazz musicians, to see players of this calibre in what is still a modest, converted church venue — a sign of the reputation The Gate is quietly building. For those lucky enough to be there, it felt like witnessing world-class musicianship in the most intimate of rooms — a night that reminded everyone just how deep Cardiff’s musical roots run.

This performance was just a small part of the Cardiff Music City Festival, which runs until 18 October – bringing together unique shows like this alongside Llais and Sŵn, in venues right across the city.