Viva Budvivar - Boppin' at the Chilli.

Budvivar: Stuart Findon, Fiona Littlewood (ten), Chris Finch (pno), Eddie Nickson (gtr), Jim Crinson (bs), Eric Stutt (dms), Debra Milne (vcls). ----- Take It To The Bridge: Dave Weisser (tpt/vcls), Darren Grainger (ten), Barry Ashcroft (pno), Jim Crinson (bs), Mathew ? (gtr), Eric Stutt or Ian Forbes (dms). -----

Budvivar served up another potent mix tonight. Bebop anthems; "Tunisia", "Round Midnight", "Well You Needn't". Standards; "Love Me Or Leave Me", "Beautiful Love", "There Will Never Be Another You". Blues; "Fine and Mellow" and a few more.

"Mellow" began with an atmospheric guitar blast from Eddie that said 'You want misery and pain? you got it!' This launched Debra into the role of a mistreated woman as portrayed by Billie Holiday. Meanwhile, Chris - not to be outdone - delivered some classic blues piano.

"All The Things You Are" showed the two tenors off to perfection with Stuart, who'd earlier sat in on a couple of numbers with TITTB, blowing like Dexter and Fiona staying with him â la Wardell - the girl gets better each time round. They, Budvivar, should be heard more often.

The night began with Dave and co augmented by Stuart and Mathew, a young guitarist making his Chilli debut. Mathew, I think, is one of Mark Williams' proteges and he certainly showed promise despite being armed only with an unamplified steel strung acoustic. One to watch.

Dave demonstrated 'The Stockade Shuffle" - a movement he presumably learned as a G.I. Blowingwise, he hit the spot on Bill Evans' "Perry's Scope"

Later Ian Forbes sat in for a knockout version of a Barry Ashcroft original - "Mr Rascal."

Incidentally, Jim Crinson played all three sets.

Another good one.

Photos.

Lance.