Jazz North East - Plunge @ The Bridge, Newcastle May7. Report by Russell.

Andreas Andersson (alto & baritone saxophones), Mattias Hjorth (double bass), Peter Nilsson (drums). The Bridge Hotel has established itself as a key venue in the north east of England for visiting improvising musicians and tonight a warm welcome was afforded the Swedish trio. Plunge.

An attentive audience heard a "free improv'' performance with a difference - melody and rhythm very much to the fore.

Andreas Andersson opened proceedings on baritone saxophone; quiet, tentative, seeking out a figure - once found, his compatriots added colour to the piece. This first set of gentle, probing, collective improvisation was well received by the appreciative and knowledgeable crowd of Jazz North East regulars. The interval saw Bridge Hotel regulars and Swedish improvising musicians head to the bar to sample the ever-excellent real ales. Tonight's offering on the bar was particularly good - all seven hand pumps were dispensing beers from local micro breweries. Our Swedish visitors were most impressed ! The second set comprised three pieces. Andersson played alto and baritone saxophones with equal facility, Mattias Hjorth achieved a beautifully warm tone on double bass (the instrument being kindly loaned for the evening by local bass hero John Pope) and drummer Peter Nilsson was most impressive throughout; restrained, subtle yet commanding. The performance was one in a series of On The Outside gigs (Jazz North East's strand of adventurous free jazz and improv). The next one, also at the Bridge Hotel, is on June 13th.It features a double bill of Paul Hession (drums) & Mike Hurley (piano) paired with Tyneside's Andy Champion (double bass) & Graeme Wilson (saxophones). To see (and hear!) Plunge at the Bridge Hotel visit http://www.musicfilmbroth.com/ Russell.