Steve Andrews (reeds), Roly Veitch (gtr), Roy Cansdale (bs), Ray Harley (tpt)
Faced with the choice of battling with the DIY crowds at B+Q on an Easter weekend, or a short trip down the road to support the last days at the Arts Centre with some easy listening classic jazz, we deliberated only for a minute ........"put away thy paste board" we heard, it was an easy choice really ........
Thankfully the snows of the previous week had eased and; the "men from Cumbria" (Roy and Steve) made it safely across the Pennines. The ever diminishing Steve Andrews produced the usual polished performance on sax and clarinet, his partner on the front line on this occasion the excellent Ray Harley, star of Maine Street Jazzmen and surely one of the best trumpet players around........they blended together beautifully to ease a good crowd through a most relaxing session .......it's a long time since I've been so relaxed on a Saturday afternoon, though perhaps the Toon's welcome on the welsh hillside the previous evening and the smooth Deuchars IPA may have added a tad to my mellow mood ........
Out of Nowhere, Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans?, Nagasaki, Stardust then It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got That Swing.....all too quickly we reached the first breather. Crazy Rhythm, Blue Turning Grey Over You, Sweet Sue, Blue Skies, She's Funny That Way, Honeysuckle Rose, Bunny Berigan's I Can't Get Started ft solo from Ray, then China Boy took us to a quick break and the all important raffle. I Can't Believe That You're in Love With Me, Sugar, 'Deed I do, Darn That Dream ft Steve on sax, then as the sun at last emerged outside, an appropriately timed On the Sunny Side of the Street before the final number After You've Gone ........cue a well deserved round of applause.
As always, the rhythm of Roy & Roly drove our very own Swing City Quartet through the day, well done guys. Vocal treats were provided by Roly & Steve.
Though the jazz was superb, in truth the important highlight of the day was that the Darlington Jazz Club has found a new venue ........though sadly the Arts Centre itself will fall victim to the cuts of today, the jazz club will see tomorrow, moving to the Dolphin Centre after July's swan song .......well done to all involved with the club, come on guy's, get out there & support your local jazz venues ...keep the music live !!!!
Ray Robson
Next session Sat 5 May @ 1pm, Jim Fryer (USA) with the West Jesmond Rhythm Kings
No comments :
Post a Comment