I'm beginning to get the impression that those folks in the south of the region have more enthusiasm than their counterparts in the big city (Newcastle). Saltburn sold out last night, Darlington Arts Centre sold out a fortnight back and the same venue tonight, healthily attended.
Tonight was a cracker of a performance of straight down the middle contemporary jazz. With the exception of "Cherokee" it was an all original program written by the individual musicians and it didn't hurt a bit.
Geoff Gascoyne couldn't make the gig but his dep, Ryan Trebilcock proved to be a more than capable stand in.
The frontline all had moments to cherish as did Steve and Clark. If Stan Tracey is the "Grand Old Man" of British jazz then Clark must now qualify as the "Grand Middle-aged Man" of BJ.
In an evening of superb arrangements it was fitting that they saved the best until last.
This final number (before the encore) was quite unique. Instead of the inevitable round of fours so beloved of our local boys the horns had a round of 'thirty-twos' followed by 'sixteens' then 'eights' then 'fours' finishing off with 'twos' and finally 'ones'!
The blues, played as an encore, was equally original with sudden stops and pauses during ensembles and solos that came across as a very, very effective 'head'.
The gigs just get better!
Lance.
PS: Avoid Row E - you will be sitting behind a human mountain and, unless your middle name is Everest, you will miss most of the visual excitement. During the interval I moved to the front row which for some reason was unoccupied. This gave me a perfect view - shame that the Darlo powers that be don't like photographers - I could have had some stunning images even without flash.
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