Joscho Stephan Trio at the Customs House, South Shields.

Joscho Stephan (ld/gtr), Gunter Stephan (rhm/gtr), Max Schaaf (bs).

I sometimes think that Django Reinhardt has spawned more disciples than Lester Young and Charlie Parker combined. If they all turn out to be like Joscho Stephan then so be it - bring 'em on.

I haven't actually heard too many of the acolytes but, on tonight's performance, surely Joscho must be amongst the front runners?

To describe his technique as dazzling or awesome doesn't cut it - they are merely inadequate words although they do apply. I prefer Hors de cette monde. Somehow the French 'out of this world' gets to the heart of his music.

Naturally, there was a lot of Djangology but there was also a piece by the Argentinian, Oscar Aleman, an incredible Chet Atkins type workout on "Main Street Breakdown", a helter-skelter version of Mozart's "Rondo a la Turk" and an uppish "You Made Me Love You." One number even managed to include a well known Cream riff. Adding Benny Goodman's arrangement of "The World is Waiting for the Sunrise", "Limehouse Blues and "Sweet Georgia Brown" produced another superlative - Phew!

Of course it wasn't all Formula One - a beautifully relaxed "C'est Si Bon", an original - didn't catch the name but it gave me goosebumps - "Nuages" (naturally) and "J'attendrai" this latter tune featured Max Schaaf on stick bass.

Max and Gunter, Joscho's father, on rhythm, kept the whole thing together for what was the culmination of one of the best week's listening I have had in recent memory!

The only disappointment tonight was the failure of 'The folks of Shields' to turn out in their masses; 'twas their loss. Those that did make it showed their appreciation by the volume of their applause that could barely have been exceeded by a full house. Catch the trio at Alnwick on March 3rd or at Leeds tomorrow (Sunday). Miss them at your peril. Photo.

Earlier, in the Alum House pub, we had been "entertained" by some Morris Dancers.

Lance

PS: He opened the show with "Django's Tiger". Thanks Kev for forwarding this clip.