The Sage's youth jazz orchestra held an open rehearsal session in the Northern Rock Foundation Hall to run through a few tunes under the direction of jazz trumpeter and educator Shaun Eland. The unrelenting weather did little to deter a healthy turn out of appreciative listeners. Piano, guitar, bass, drums, percussion and vibes together with a six-strong saxophone section, four trumpets and three trombones tackled a mixed bag of tunes ranging from It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing to Gershwin's I Got Plenty O' Nuttin' to St. Louis Blues.
A particular highlight was Bob Mintzer's Go Go. Mintzer is one of many top flight musicians to have worked with regional musicians at the Gateshead venue and his input (and that of others) has, undoubtedly, been most beneficial. Throughout the one hour performance the sections were well drilled and solo opportunities were numerous. Many in the band are familiar names and faces and some of them are sitting in at jazz sessions across Tyneside and gigging in their own right. The future seems assured.
Russell.
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