Bob Caswell & Frank Brooker with Blaydon Jazz Trio @ Blaydon Jazz Club. 8th July.

Bob Caswell (vocals), Frank Brooker (tenor saxophone, clarinet & vocals), Jeremy McMurray (piano), Pete Ayton (electric bass) & John Hirst (drums)

Front line veterans Bob Caswell and Frank Brooker shared the limelight in the company of a first class rhythm section featuring 'house' pianist Jeremy McMurray, Pete Ayton, McMurray's Teesside sidekick playing six string electric bass and as Down Beat would say, 'rising star' John Hirst on drums.

Brooker warmed up with the trio on a couple of numbers before Caswell took it on with The Best Things in Life Are Free. Caswell possesses that old school stage craft and charm, Brooker clearly enjoyed working alongside him and for the most part was content to play a supportive role - this was very much Caswell's night. Brooker closed the first set playing clarinet on a storming version of Monk's Straight No Chaser.

The second set promised much as Brooker got down to business - jacket off, sleeves rolled up - One Foot in the Gutter followed by Hank Mobley's Soul Station were the real deal, taken at a lick with an infusion of blues for good measure. Caswell sang Ol' Man River setting such a tempo that the boys in the band did well to hang on in there. The Lady is a Tramp, Cry Me a River and others showcased our vocalist's impeccable phrasing and reading of a lyric. McMurray was on form (is he ever off form?) , Ayton knows his way around his instrument and John Hirst is, quite simply, a 'rising star'.

Audience numbers were given a welcome boost with an invited party of Mothers and Toddlers (thankfully the latter were at home in bed) and regulars from Blaydon CIU Club's dance night. A jazz crowd they weren't - Ronnie Scott would certainly have had something to say but this was a bold initiative by Roly & co. to try and stimulate interest in the always excellent jazz on offer at Blaydon Jazz Club. The next session is in September - Thursday 9th - featuring the Blaydon Jazz Quartet with the added bonus, at no extra cost, of the fabulous Ms. Ruth Lambert.

Russell.