A day in the life of a ...

...... Derby Day - that dreaded day in the calender when the soccer teams of Sunderland and Newcastle confront each other in a sporting fixture. The "game" had started at noon (how appropriate!) and I knew that it had ended in a 1 - 1 draw with both sets of hooligans - sorry I meant fans - claiming moral victory.

Sorry if I seem less than enthusiastic about the Beautiful Game, because it is beautiful, 'cept...the fans do  nothing to promote that image

Like I got on the bus and the driver told me to be careful where I sat as a passenger had "Spewed up". Now here I am being presumptive and it may have actually been the local Priest OD-ing on the Communion wine rather than a fan who'd been watching it in the pub.

Even in the Jazz Café drunks had infiltrated - hopefully they enjoyed the superb bebop lines that Gilligan/Forbes and Grainger laid down.

I made my way to the Bridge Hotel, thankful of a strong police presence on the street. Even here, in the bar, it was like open day at The Asylum and I was thankful for the sanctity of the upper room where the James Mainwaring Quartet (James Mainwaring (tenor sax); Nik Svarc (guitar); Michael Bardon (bass); Joost Hendricks (drums)) had travelled up from Leeds to perform for another pitifully small number of enthusiasts.

However, given the conditions outside, perhaps the poor attendance can be understood.

This is a hard blowing combo that pushes the boundaries without breaking them. Mainly original material - significantly mixed with a Joe Henderson tune - Mainwaring blows paint-stripping tenor not unlike some of Henderson's work whilst Svarc's guitar playing is from the same genre perhaps tarred with a coat of Methany. For a small band they get a big sound  worthy of a bigger audience.

I only stayed for the first set but that was no reflection on the music more the desire for a safe passage home!

Photos.
Lance.