Saturday Afternoon at the Gateshead Jazz Festival

I like the Saturday afternoon session and not just because I go to the free ones! There's a relaxed, no pressure feel about it both on the Concourse and at the Jazz Lounge Jam Session.

Of course there are drawbacks. The Concourse acoustics tend to favour the larger ensmbles as opposed to the combos and vocalists.

Nevertheless, things got off to a good start with HCW (Hirst, Carr & Worsley) whom I've wrote of in the past. They played a solid set considering they were facing a slightly blasé audience who were possibly distracted by the spidermen duo cleaning the windows behind them! As they say in show business - never follow a kid, a dog or a window-cleaner act.

In the Jazz Lounge lots of young hopefuls were strutting their stuff. Backed by Stu Collingwood, Ken Marley and David Carnegie, James, the young guitarist from the Chillingham, had a blast on "Stella", "A girl did things to "St Thomas" on trumpet, Dave Weisser "Satin Dolled" with Dan, a promising young drummer from Prudhoe, who could have had a little more solo space whilst Noel Dennis compered and blew some good horn.

Back on the Concourse, Paul Edis, Graham Hardy and Mick Shoulder had a very listenable half hour with "Waltz for Debby" doing the business.

More jam then it was Ruth Lambert with Paul E and Andy Champion. Ruth opened with "West Coast Blues" a number associated with Zoe who was sitting down front.

Unfortunately, the Concourse acoustics could have been kinder this time around. Nevertheless, as ever, Ruth overcame the obstacles and delighted her fans which, of course, includes me .

I had to leave at this point but I will be back tonight for Sheila Jordan. Sheila, incidentally, was involved in a triple header with Cleveland Watkiss and Ian Shaw this afternoon. Anyone who cares to write a brief review on the event are cordially invited to.

Photos.

Lance.