There's an ambiance about Pizza that comes across as your friendly neighbourhood jazz club rather than a nationwide chain.
Tonight's session by Scott Hamilton, the last of four nights, was truly delightful. The tenor man is, these days, much more Lestorian than I remembered him - albeit via Brew Moore - and his opening number, End of a Beautiful Friendship was in fact a contradicition as I'm sure that for many in the audience it was the start of a beautiful friendship!
He floated through What Is This Thing Called Love, I Want To Be Happy and Groovin' High to mention but some. Effortlessly and effectively, aided and abetted, by fine solos from Pearce on piano and Dave Green who is surely the most melodic of all our mainstream bassists. With Steve Brown - is there anyone happier at is work than he? - on drums kicking it along this was a great opening set and there was more to come.
A brief chat with Dave Green re JNE's Margaret Barnes (he sends his love Margaret) then it was more swinging tenor before a surprise guest.
Allison Neale. Alison is a lovely young alto player very much in the Art Pepper mode - I kid you not! Just goes to show there is hope for the younger generation yet!
Allison, playing what looked like a vintage Conn Under-slung alto (tasty!), and Scott blew Melancholy Baby and an extended jam on Rhythm changes. Allison knows the language of Bebop ok - it's almost as if she was born on 52nd St.!
The set finished with Scott and Pearce playing an emotive Tenderly.
Superb session.
Lance.
3 comments :
so you did go to Soho after all!! well done
Liz
Allison Neale gave one of my favourite JNE concerts of recent years at the Corner House. With the wonderful Dave Cliff on guitar. I have her CD 'Melody Express' and its a gem. The art of gentle lyricism.
Roly
Melody Express - I'd like to hear that. I heard Allison a couple of years back at Scarborough and she was with Dave Cliff on that gig. They worked well together.
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