Jazz is Where You Find It

I'm heading for the South Shields Metro when I hear, in the distance, an alto sax that sounds rather like Charlie Holmes - he of the old Luis Russell band. Intrigued I source the source - I know it won't be coming from the HMV store - jazz doesn't rate on their menu it is filed under 'Easy Listening' and thus you get Vera Lynn rubbing shoulders with Diana Krall and, not being Xmas, it won't be Derek Fleck and the Brians Chester and Bennett.

I boogie up King Street towards the Market Place, the volume increases and I hear a stompy version of Sweet Georgia Brown that could have held its own in a Harlem after hours joint back in the 1930s.

Six guys of a foreign persuasion are swinging along in front of the old Woolworth's store with some pleasant soloing from alto and cornet.

Woolworth's was always good for a bargain and I'm happy to hear an extended version of Sweet Georgia and a rollicking Saints for my 50p!

Lance