The Virtuoso Trio @ Ashington Jazz Club - Report by John T.

George McDonald (clt), Jim Birkett (gtr), Pete Stuart (bs).

What makes a good jazz night?

Is it the performers, the venue, the audience or is there something else? What ever it is we found it with Virtuoso Jazz at the Elephant last night.

Jim Birkett has now been passed fully fit by the doc so his last three performances were probably just a warm up for last night. George and Peter were both on their first visit to Ashington and all three gave us a whole new experience of classic jazz done in a very sophisticated way with some great jazz history stories from George. You could have heard a pin drop - no obtrusive chatting at the bar and tumultuous applause after every number from the audience of 66.

Lots of new faces tonight; they said they'd be happy to come again.

The varied programme explored many different facets of jazz and the band's own enjoyment was clearly evident. James preferred the acoustics here to the old venue and, as with Ruth Lambert, each had their own, minimally set, amplification, creating an acoustic effect.

This is probably the first time we've had a trio - usually four to seven piece bands. Last night was about quality not quantity.

Afterwards, talking to Pete Stuart, he tells me that lately he's been gigging in Yorkshire with Dave Challis and Bob Ludlam.

Yorkshire will surely relish his playing!

John T.