The Jazz Café on Newcastle's Pink Lane is quite unique - without aid or support from them as supply aid and support to artistic ventures the place has survived for 20 years. The anniversary is, I think, next weekend. We're not expecting someone to arrive with a blue plaque but it would be nice to see it acknowledged somewhere in the jazz world. I ain't holding my breath!
The Jazz Café is a place to hang out - like Jim 'n Andy's in New York - a place to drink, listen, talk to fellow musos maybe pick up a gig or a hangover.
Sunday afternoon it's the only game in town (not Toon). The jam session is great and today was an example of what is wonderful about jazz at street level.
Young guy, didn't catch his name (David perhaps?) blew a few trombone choruses on Summertime. I'm not going to build him up and say they were fabulous but they were okay and we gave him the applause they merited.
Applause? must want more so he charged off into another chorus! I'm gonna bet that David makes good.
On the vocal front Lindsay laid Midnight Sun upon us handling the 'Alabaster Palace' and the 'Aurora Borealis' rhyme with ease - the rhymester's rhyme! You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To, Deed I Do and Night in Tunisia were others that glowed effervescently.
Gaby was there but didn't get a shot before I left. Claire did and she was on song.
No drums but, with Pete playing Perc Piano who cares.
John Hedley kept the bass seat warm for Paul Grainger and a student from Cyprus (?) sang beautifully.
Elaine - as ever the string section - kept the Grappelli legend alive and Don Forbes wandered in and out of a few tunes. Stu blew too.
Too soon 'twas time for me to depart and head for the Bridge...
Lance.
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