Tim Garland (ten/sop/bs.clt.), Adrian Tilbrook (dms), Andy Champion (bs).It may seem strange to offer up tonight as a 'Gig of the Year' after having left at the interval but that's what the first half was and I'm quite sure the second set would consolidate my opinion.
The reason for my early departure was, purely and simply, - the weather.
As my favoured Sunday evening journey home involves bus and Metro the news that buses were off halved my options so that was the reason why. Apologies to Andy, Adrian and Tim.
The trio opened up with Killer Joe and Tim took Q's KJ to Death Row and back. Tim Garland is a phenomenal tenor player - he blew up an absolute storm. Andy Champion gave him a temporary reprieve and Adrian helped lift the game with some inspired interplay between drums and tenor.
Tim segued into - of all things - Little Donkey! Playing bass clarinet he discovered hidden depths in this otherwise innocuous tune. The opener closed with Invitation on soprano.
The basso clarinetto remained for more Christmas jazz on Oh Come Oh Come Emanuelle - as Cathy, sitting next to me with husband John, remarked - 'That was beautiful' and who could argue - it was.
The set finished with a tribute to Stan Getz on Voyage.
Tim was certainly 'On song' but so too were Adrian and Andy. They made this an integrated trio rather than soloist and support Adrian finding licks and cross rhythms he didn't know he had whilst Andy added the vital third voice both pizzi and arco.
And so it came to pass that I reluctantly left. From the upper room of The Bridge as I walked across the snow covered square I could hear Tim opening the second set with Round Midnight - was it Tim or was it a Whip-Poor-Will high on a hill playing this plaintive refrain? I was tempted to return but self preservation prevailed and I reflected that this had been one memorable set.
As a matter of interest, the trio initially came together at the Remembering Chris (Yates) gig in the Summer. Chris would surely have been delighted that this acorn had grown into such a mighty oak!
Lance.
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