Alan Wilkinson & the Bergen Connection @ Central Bar, Gateshead. May 11th

Alan Wilkinson (alto & baritone saxophones), Kim Johannesen (guitar), Ola Hoyer (double bass) & Dag Erik Knedal Anderson (drums)

Jazz North East's latest On the Outside promotion at Gateshead's Central Bar featured a return visit by UK firebrand Alan Wilkinson in the company of  three young Norwegians making a first time visit to the north east - guitarist Kim Johannesen (boasting a beautiful vintage Gibson), bassist Ola Hoyer and drummer/percussionist Dag Erik Knedal Anderson. Wilkinson is a familiar face with a familiar and formidable sound and it remained to be seen what the young pretenders would do. On alto or baritone Wilkinson always makes himself heard and those on the stand with him have it all to do to make their voices heard. Guitar and bass struggled to rise above the din (make that the glorious din). Wilkinson's alto playing was the more effective in that it engaged all four musicians (his baritone work made it a sax/drums workout) and at times the quartet really flew. Johannesen's approach was and is his own - scratching and scraping - with a nod to Joe Morris and a hint of Graeme Stephen. Ola Hoyer was robust throughout and the star performer was undoubtedly drummer Knedal Anderson. ''Busy'' would describe his style with technique to burn. His performance was a masterclass on its own yet he dovetailed seemlessly with Wilkinson's uncompromising style. He is destined to become a household name on the free jazz/improv circuit. The next On the Outside gig is a co-promotion with Splinter @ the Bridge in the upstairs room of the Bridge Hotel on Sunday 29th May marking the the Tyneside debut of Polish reeds player Mikolaj Trzaska.in trio format with bassist Olie Brice and drummer Mark Sanders.

Russell