Maureen Hall (vocals), Mac Smith (piano), Fred Rowe (trumpet), Barry Soulsby (clarinet & vocals), Iain MacAulay (trombone & vocals), John Robinson (bass ), Jim McKeown (drums).
An evening of celebrations at the Piper last night. Maureen Hall's Rendezvous Jazz chalked up ten years at the Cullercoats hostelry and bass player John Robinson had just become a grandfather!
This called for a pint of the landlord's finest - Greene King's Abbot Ale.
The opening number was Earl Hines' ''Rosetta'' followed by a good 'un for Maureen to sing - ''Mean to Me''. A tune I didn't know called, I think, ''I've Got What it Takes But it Breaks My Heart to Give it Away,'' sounded good to me; George Melly, I believe, was fond of this one. ''Swing That Music '' brought Fred Rowe to the fore - it could have been Louis! Trombone maestro MacAulay played a beautiful solo on Hoagy's ''Stardust'' (perhaps the highlight of the evening). Our bandleader was on form with another favourite - '' Who's Sorry Now?''. The interval allowed for a refill, a raffle ticket (no luck) and the introduction of the great Doris Fenn on banjo (or should that be banjolele?) for the second set.
Maureen asked the question ''Am I Blue? '' to get the second set under way. Trombone man and humorist Mr MacAulay introduced ''East Coast Trot'' and enlightened the audience with the fact that this number was a tribute to Newcastle Brown Ale! A blues brought Barry to the mic for a vocal turn followed by ''China Boy'' - with good contributions by all. Louis' ''Someday You'll Be Sorry'' once more showed veteran Fred Rowe to be no mean trumpet player. The evening's entertainment was brought to a close with ''I Double Dare You''.
A gig of good tunes and good ensemble work enhanced by Fenn's rhythmic contributions. Next month's session - June 6th - is in the bar due to a refurbishment of the lounge. A buffet will be on offer. One could ask no more - good beer, food and some great jazz. Here's to the next ten years.
Russell.
I must congratulate Russell for a brilliant report of my band Rendezvous Jazz at our gig at the Piper, Cullercoats on Saturday 2nd May. I've known Russell for several years but don't have a contact number, so please pass on my thanks.
ReplyDeleteMaureen.