Mike Papapavlou & Ruairidh Patfield @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. Feb 23.

Newcastle University music students met in the grand surroundings of King’s Hall in Armstrong Building to perform in front of their peers and interested members of the public. 

Classical, folk, pop, the singer/songwriter – all were represented - and on this occasion two talented musicians played a couple of rather well known jazz tunes. 

Guitarist Mike Papapavlou and electric bassist Ruairidh Patfield began with I Love Paris. Papapavlou impressed with his technique and tasteful playing of one of the great standards as bassist Patfield offered sympathetic support. Charlie Parker’s Cheryl was well within the duo’s capabilities and won the applause of fellow students – no mean feat given the studied indifference of many a student! 

Papapavlou and Patfield can be heard most Sundays at Keith Crombie’s Jazz Café jam session. These boys also figure in a quartet and I reckon an enterprising promoter could do worse than to offer them a spot.

A special mention goes to Ed Burgon (voice and guitar). A student on the folk degree course, Burgon is a star not of the future but of the here and now. American folk song, the protest song and fantastic original material were at the fingertips and on the lips of Burgon.

Russell.