Graeme Wilson (ten), Graham Hardy (tpt), Chris Hibbard (tmb), Paul Edis (pno), Neil Harland (bs), Adam Sinclair (dms). Photo left courtesy of Eddie Carson.
It would be difficult to pick six better north-eastern musicians than the above, or two better composer/arrangers than Paul and Graeme. Throw standards such as "Out of Nowhere", "In A Sentimental Mood", "Joyspring" and "All the Things You Are" into the mix, add some original originals and you have the recipe for a couple of very listenable sets with a distinctly west coast feel to some of the numbers.
Particularly outstanding was Paul's version of "All the Things etc." which he re-titled "All the Things You Aren't" (Anglifying Maynard Ferguson's "All The Things You Ain't"?). This had the horns playing a Bach-like fugue as an intro - brilliant.
Paul, Neil and Adam played one of Roly's compositions "Job Shufflebottom" as a trio with some effective drumming from Adam. The title, incidentally, comes from an insurance claim that Roly dealt with in a former life. Amazing where composers find inspiration! Perhaps I/we could write some words to it?!
All in all it was a session that went down okay with the small but enthusiastic audience.
Personally, much as I enjoyed it, I felt a few more uptempo numbers would have broken things up a bit and perhaps more dynamics on the slower ones.
Lance.
Yes, top drawer musicians, excellent material and I do agree a change of tempo would have added something.
ReplyDeleteChris Hibbard's feature ''Black Orpheus'' was superb (as always) and the writing of the local musicians is very much up there with the best. Roly Veitch's ''Job Shufflebottom'' has become a favourite (Adam Sinclair's drumming on the tune is tremendous), bandleader Edis' ''Angular'' works and Graeme Wilson's writing has the hallmark of quality.
Russell