Young Blood

Contrary to the belief held in some circles that jazz is an old man's music it is nice to see and hear so many outstanding young musicians coming through the ranks in the north-east. The heartening thing is that many of them are capable of playing in older styles such as swing and bop as well as the more contemporary forms.

Impossible to list them all or where the definition 'young' ends however, some of the young players who have impressed include those graduates of 'Jambone' - Harley Johnson (keys), Loretta Tosson (tenor), Ivan Scutt (bass). Violinist Elaine Binney has impressed with her Grappelli-like improvisations at the Jazz Café as has guitarist Matthew Office and drummer Omid Ramak. Dan Reed is another up and coming stickman and Lloyd Wright is making all the 'Wright' noises in a variety of settings.

At a very high level drummer and ex-Berklee graduate, John Hirst has cut it with big bands, small bands, vocalists and his own jazz/rock trio HCW. The other members of HCW - Christos Worsley (bass) and Edd Carr (guitar) are also pushing a few boundaries.

Then there is - ah what the heck! there's too many of them to name them all but I musn't forget vocalist Gaby who has, on occasion, set the Jazz Café on fire.

Remind me on of anyone you think worthy of mention - they should all be wearing Tangerine shirts because that's where the future is I'm told.

Sorry I should have said 'Orange' but that would have seemed like a commercial.

Lance.