Hyem Jazz Club

Maureen Hall (vcl), Mac Rae (clt/vcl), Iain MacAulay (tmb/tpt/vcl), Mac Smith (pno), John Robinson (bs), Jim McKeown (dms). + Teresa Armstrong (vcl).

Hyem, formularly the Echo Bar on Chilli Road, opened its doors as a jazz venue tonight - don't ask me what the name means - featuring a spirited performance by Maureen Hall and Rendezvous Jazz.

With Mac Rae depping for Barry Soulsby on clarinet the music was very much in the New Orleans tradition although trombonist and part-time trumpet player Iain blew some Dorsey/Teagarden sounding trombone that belonged to a later era. His trumpet playing was gentle and quite mellow and he sang with some humour manipulating the lyrics of "I Want A Little Girl" to good effect.

Rendezvous Jazz get the right sound for what they do; Mac Smith's punchy piano-playing is very enjoyable and conducive to foot-tapping. Close your eyes and you could be in the Crescent City (or at least the Crescent Club).

The band had brought along a few followers from the coast which helped to fill out the sparse audience and they showed their approval.

As well as blowing some strident clarinet on "Rosetta", "Canal Street Blues" and "St. Louis Blues" Mac Rae sang a few but it was Maureen herself who took the vocal kudos with her take on an assortment of classic jazz standards.

That feisty lady Teresa Armstrong also chipped in with "Lonesome Road".

Circumstances decreed that I left during the second half and thus missed the big surprize ending that was promised. No doubt all will be revealed by Russell.

It's a promising start for the club and we wish promoter Atholl Stewart well in this venture.

We will do our best to promote it as indeed we try to support all jazz gigs - with or without acknowledgement - next week has sax/clarinet player Gavin Lee as the featured artist.

Lance.