This was one of those nostalgia, memories, hellos and whatever became of? evenings. Oh yes - and there was some lovely music along the way.
Anne DeVere and Bill Harper had been staples of the north-east jazz/big band scene for many years before they moved to Brittany after becoming disenchanted with certain aspects of the UK and it must have warmed their very souls to have so many old friends turn out. I'm not going to list them all but there was Billy Nicholson, John Bell, Tommy Moran, Olive and Alan Rudd, Germaine Stanger, Brian Chester, Derek Cogger and many more musicians whose names I couldn't match to the faces plus entrepreneurs Taylor and Pollard from Ashington and Gateshead.Jazz Clubs. Jazz North East was represented by "Wor" Russell and Margaret Barnes.
Roly, James - to hell with formality - Jim (I never came to terms with calling Johnny Dankworth John either!) and Neil got things rolling with a lightly swinging All of Me during which our guests of honour arrived with Bill sliding on to the piano stool mid chorus.
All The Things You Are - and there were many - Bill, Anthropology and Darn That Dream followed. This latter tune caused me to chuckle as I seem to recall that, many years ago, Bill was the first person I met who referred to it as Darn That Sock!
An up-tempo blues and a lush Body and Soul brought Paul Edis to the bandstand. Not to play piano but to blow Flute on Meditation and clarinet on, as Roly introduced it, A Nightingale Sang in Blaydon Square.
I'd heard Paul on flute before but not on clarinet and it was interesting listening to his dry contemporary sound.
A nightingale DID sing in Blaydon after the break when Anne DeVere joined her husband for If You Could See Me Now followed by I'll Remember April and poignant tear-jerker, If You Were There. The voice is still there but a sore throat limited Anne from doing too much. Satin Doll swung. Former Mayfair crooner John Bell did a number finishing just in time for me to catch the 10:50 number 11 bus to Newcastle.
It had been a grand night and a nice gesture to two lovely people and of course Roly and everyone else who turned out.
Bill Harper plays the Cherry Tree on Monday.
Photos.
Photos.
Lance.
4 comments :
I have met Ann Devere would you believe! Many years ago Denys & I were at one of her gigs, goodness knows where, so long ago I cannot remember, but we got chatting with her, she & Denys had quite a bit in common being from the North East. We thought she was terrific, her name stuck in my memory as it always seemed quite glam!
Thank you Liz for your kind comment!
Contrary to popular belief my name is not a'stage name' it is all mine!! My ancestors came to England from Normandy with William the Conqueror. Unfortunately it appears to denote a person of the aristocracy and I'm a Gateshead lass although my kinsmen held the title of Earls of Oxford in Tudor times.Once again thanks and keep on truckin'!
Ann D
Hi Ann, Val Dawson here. If my memory serves me well we met at the "Turk's Head" in South Shields. I have often wondered how you were keeping, and hope you are well. I'm still living with fybromialgia but I am in reasonable health. I believe you are now living in Brittany. It sounds great. I still play "Listen Here" and wish I could see you both in a live performance again. I have just watched "Anonamous" and commented to my son that I wouldn't be surprised if you were a descendant of the Earl of Oxford as talent seems to be hereditory. Yours very sincerely, Val Dawson x.
Hello Val how lovely to hear from you!! I've thought of you often. Yes I'm crippled too with arfuritis LOL and need another op on my spine YUK! We love it here, absolutely no stress very beautiful and no litter, nice friends and neighbours(we're the only English in the village!!)Sorry I've just seen your posting--if you phone me and give me your number I can phone you straight back free for me--0033 297 22 57 51 would love to chat!!xx
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