Roly Veitch (gtr/vcl), Jim Birkett (gtr), Graeme Wilson (ten/fl), Neil Harland (bs), John Hirst (dms).
For the last 18 months Ashington Jazz Club has tried to feature a mix of old and new bands. All credit must go to Roly Veitch for puting together a premier band with a line up of old and new faces for our 25th anniversary night.
We arrived at 7:15 and Roly was sorting out the parts and arrangrements he had done especially for the night. He first guested with the River City Jazzmen at the Elephant back in 1989. That was also the year that James Birkett, our other guitarist, also appeared as a guest with the same band. So they were our "old timers". On sax we had one of the new stars - Graeme Wilson -who has appeared here several times as a member of Ruth Lambert's Trio. To complete the line up we had two complete newcomers to the Elephant. It was bass player Neil Harland's first visit to Ashington along with that fine young drummer John Hirst.
The night started well with Will You Still be Mine and a waltz - Alice in Wonderland. Next was Sonnymoon for Two, Line for Lyons and Airmail Special. Lots of contrapuntal arrangements were included in the lead up to "half time" (excuse the World Cup terminology but we have to keep it topical!) Paying homage to the late Tyneside composer Eric Boswell Roly opened the second half with The Whippet. Next, he and Jim together did a bossa nova arrangement of Gan Canny which was an incredible achievement, mixing such different content and styles. Other ensemble numbers included The Nearness of You, There Will Never be Another You, Bye Bye Blackbird and It's You or No One. Jim and Roly also dueted on Skating in the Park and All the Things you Are.
A good size audience of 51 were very appreciative of a top notch band. One or two new faces as well as some who had not been for years. We all agree that the night was a great success with never to be forgotten performances from players - young or old. Lets hope they are still around for our next anniversary, lets book them now!
Alan Pirt, Peter Sanderson & John Taylor
Ashington Jazz Club
2 comments :
Well I'll be 88 at the Golden Jubilee. Let's not dwell on that.
Still - well done John, Sheila and all the helpers for keeping it going and a special thanks to Jimmy Charlton for all those years of dedication to the good cause. I was so sad that Jimmy was unwell and couldn't make it this special night. Get well soon Jim and our heartfelt thanks and best wishes. Roly
Ashington Jazz Club 25th. Anniversary Concert Wednesday. 2nd. June 1010.
Some of you may be old enough to recall Newport 1956 Jazz on a Summer’s Day. Last night we enjoyed Ashington 2010 Jazz on a Summer’s Evening which will remain long in the memories of 51 loyal members who welcomed the appearance of the Jubilee Quintet brought together by Roly Veitch, a regular visitor to our Club during the last 25 years . Other members in the Band included another popular musician in Jim Birkett with Graeme Wilson (Ten Sax), Neil Harland (Bass) and a young drummer John Hirst. The audience was entertained by the group with many well known standards from an extensive Jazz repertoire which were at times exquisitely performed , sometimes exciting and sometimes gentle and melodic and always creative improvisation. Other master pieces came from the libraries of Sonny Rollins, Gerry Mulligan, and the Modern Jazz Quartet. Each performance brilliantly executed and receiving rapturous applause from enthusiastic fans.
The surprise of the evening was duo guitar renditions of two Geordie folk songs, one of which was set to a Bossa Nova rhythm. Most unusual but appreciated. Bass and percussion accompaniment was of a high standard throughout the evening and the Saxophone interpretations were superb.
The members, both old and new, enjoyed a fantastic evening of quality Jazz Music.
Thank you Roly and members of Quintet.
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