I love the Jazz Café Sunday Afternoon Jam Session. There is a feel about it that tells you that this is what jazz is all about.
A handful of guys and gals blowing/singing - creating.
Lyndsay was in great voice on Willow Weep and, particularly, the upbeat Deed I Do This latter tune jumped from the moment Meade Lux Gilligan started hitting those eighth note appegios in the left hand and pummelling block chords in the right. Pete was telling the cats on stage to move it - and move it they did!
Ms Hannon got the groove going and Mark Williams, the two saxes, and the fiddler - Elaine Binney - took it up.
It was g-o-o-d..... Eric Stutt and Paul Grainger made sure it stayed that way. Keep this session going Keith - I love it!
Talking 'bout the fiddler - Elaine took an extended chorus on My Funny Valentine that was quite simply beautiful. Lyndsay's vocal wasn't bad either! As the animated inebriate sitting in front of me said, "It was medolic (sic)"
And it really was. But I shouldn't single out! Everyone who gets up and blows at the JC is adding their page to jazz history
I reluctantly moved on down the road to the Bridge Hotel where If Destroyed Still True - conveniently abbreviated to IDST - were appearing as part of the Splinter Sunday night sessions. Jazz Café Photos.
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After leaving the feel-good factor of the Jazz Café for the sombreness of The Bridge I sensed, by the lack of bar activity, that this wasn't going to be a one for the diary...
Simon Kayler (ten/sop), Simon Beddoe (tpt/flg), Johnny Tomlinson (pno), Nick Tyson (gtr), Seth Bennett (bs), Tommy Evans (dms).
IDST are a great band - I love them, having heard them a couple of years back at Scarborough.
Tonight they made everyone - which wasn't many - realise what a good band they are and they were playing original material.
There were moments when they swung like as though Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers had been re-born in the 21st century! Tempo changes, floating, drifting rhythms - hard blowing. An amazing sound for an unmiked front-line.
Original material. This is always the stumbling block I have.
Is anyone going to be whistling these originals as they go to work tomorrow?
Is anyone going to work tomorrow?
Lance.
Next week HCW (replacing the Carpus Trio).
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