Charles Gordon (keys); John Wheeler (ten/alt); Ben Grant (dms).
A funky couple of sets from an organ inspired group with leader Gordon setting down some big fat Hammond-like sounds that almost made the room a soul food convention - pass the chitlins baby.
On saxes John Wheeler is surely the best kept secret around - we need to hear more of him. Tonight he blew up a storm sounding at times like Wayne Shorter. In fact the whole gig had a Weather Report/Crusaders feel too it with a touch of the Herbies (Hancock not Hudson) thrown into the mix.
Ben Grant was rock solid and made sure it never dragged.
Summertime (vocal by Charles), Masquerade, Midnight Voyage, Chitlins, New Destination (vocal), Watermelon Man, Moon Dance, Sunny were just a few of the numbers that had the room rocking.
Another good evening at Hoochie and an appreciative young crowd. Talking of age where were the older jazz people? A good venue in the town centre with good music and good beer - London Pride my particular choice although the range is wide - should drag them away from the telly but in fact, with a couple of noticeable exceptions, excluding myself, it was mainly a young audience which can't be bad but a wider mix would have been nice. Next Thursday it's the delightful Lindsay Hannon Plus so put it in your diary!
Lance.
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