Hoochie Coochie hits the ground running with Zoe Gilby Band

Zoe Gilby (vcl); Caroline Bagley (alt); Stuart Collingwood (pno); Nick Pride (gtr); Andy Champion (bs); Richard Brown (dms).

Newcastle's newest hot spot - The Hoochie Coochie on Pilgrim Street - staged a pre-opening night to an invited audience who enjoyed the hospitality and the ambience of the 200 seater room.

Owner Warren's aim is to provide a showcase for modern jazz, soul and funk in a compatible setting. To quote from the publicity "...a cool, clean, luxury bar designed exclusively for all lovers of soul, funk and jazz music." We wish him well.

Tonight's bash saw Zoe front a specially chosen group with Caroline Bagley on Alto, Stuart Collingwood, on keys and guitarist Nick Pride augmenting regular cohorts Andy Champion (bass) and Richard Brown (drums).

Despite a generally indifferent crowd who were more interested in the booze than the blooze Zoe gave a polished performance from her gasbook rather than her more contemporary cookbook.

The opening set - Just Squeeze Me, One Note Samba, Time After Time, Darn That Dream, I Thought About You, and West Coast Blues was vintage Zoe and should have been given rapt attention.

Nevertheless, for those who did listen it was a superb set with, apart from Zoe, great solos all-round. Caroline Bagley, of whom Russell raved over at Stockton, blew fiery alto and Stuart and Nick also had moments to savour as did Andy and Richard.

The second set moved up a gear with an uppish Lullaby of Birdland, followed by Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me, You Turned the Tables on Me, Peel Me a Grape, Caravan and Centerpiece.

A good night was had by all.

The bar opens to the public tomorrow (Saturday August 13) with Kenny Thomas.

Check out www.hoochiecoochie.co.uk.

Photos.

Lance.