Allison Neale Quartet. Allison Neale (alt/flt), Dave Cliff (gtr), Simon Thorpe (bs), Steve Brown (dms).
Another feminine triumph as the pretty and petite alto player opens up with East of the Sun. This was cool, Pepper/Desmond sax playing - West Coast (L.A.) meets East Coast (Scarborough). Imaginative, flowing lines it was as if Allison and the sax were as one. Spring is Here was another that tugged at the emotions. Throughout Dave Cliff supported and soloed effectively - those days hanging out at Blaydon and other north-east jazz joints certainly paid off!
A gem of a set.
The Magic Hat Ensemble. Steve Chadwick (tpt/cor), Andrjej Baranek (pno), Nick Blacka (bs), Tony Ormesher (bs), Rob Turner (dms).
After taking a break to have coffee with BSH regular Liz and husband Denys I returned to the fray for one of the highlights of the weekend (in truth just about every set was a highlight!) I could write reams on this one but I'll content myself with just Darn That Dream.
A wistful, ethereal almost distant opening as the cornet searches for the meaning of the dream. Beneath him the accompanying players float - they too are searching. Gradually it builds up like a train pulling away from the station. The intensity increases the whistle blows and the dream is blown apart. This is the dream to end all dreams but it's no nightmare its a journey to the Land of Oo-bla-dee and back again then suddenly it stops and we're into the lyricism we associate with this tune. Before long though we are back on board the Superchief. Pianist and guitar trade 16's - so much more effective than 4's - until they're spent and drained. Steve Chad takes it once more into wistful world before yet another crazy ride-out.
Phew! Pass the brandy.
By way of an encore they did the fastest, wildest, shortest Misty ever!
Anita Wardell Quartet. Anita Wardell (vcl), Robin Aspland (pno), Ryan Trebilcock (bs), Steve Brown (dms).
A good straight down the middle set from a fine singer. Great standards such as - What's New?, Learnin' The Blues, It's Love, Stairway To The Stars, Willow Weep For Me, You're My Thrill, The Meaning of the Blues and finally East of the Sun. Robin Aspland is an amazing pianist in a weekend that has been full of amazing pianists some of his runs and fills behind Anita surely spurred her on to her most inspired scatting.
Need some sustenance after this afternoon's fireworks.
Lance.
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