Bob Barnard and the Swing City Trio @ Trinity Church and Centre, Gosforth.

Bob Barnard (tpt), Steve Andrews (alt/ten/clt), Roly Veitch (gtr/vcl), Roy Cansdale (bs).

This was one of those gigs that one remembers because of the restraint rather than the kick the door down, put the boot in, excitement that characterises most jazz gigs that stick in the memory.

This was different. It was the Bechet/Spanier 4, the Mulligan Quartet, the MJQ - it was chamber jazz of the highest quality.

Bob Barnard, like Bix, Chet, Bobby Hackett even Miles, knows that one note hit on the nose is better than a hundred despatched into outer space. When Bob takes a solo he isn't just taking the chords for a walk around the block he's creating an alternate melody. True that alternate melody may have been honed over the years but the end result is worth it.

Steve Andrews kept pace with the star and had more than a few moments of his own to draw applause from the appreciative crowd.

Steve also did the announcing in his own fine and humourous manner. However, knowing Bob' Barnard's illustrious pedigree, I'd have liked to have heard some of his own stories first hand.

Nevertheless, it was a good gig and the set lists are worth salivating over...

I'm Getting Sentimental Over You, I Surrender Dear, Easy Living, I Saw Stars (vcl by Roly), Indian Summer, Come's Love, Sweet and Lovely and As Long As I Live.

The second set opened with Just You, Just Me (with the boppish Spotlite riff and a Roly vocal) followed by Topsy, Skylark, Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams, Three Little Words, You've Changed, Out of Nowhere and, finally, Swing That Music.

Throughout, Roly as well as his cool laid back vocals provided the perfect rhythm guitar acc. and played some nice solos a la George Barnes, Carl Kress. On bass Roy was his usual tower of strength.

A most enjoyable and relaxing evening - I hardly noticed the absence of drums so much did the group swing!

Lance.