Lickety Split @ Ashington Jazz Club November 8.

(Review by Peter S.)
If I owned a parrot I would teach him to repeat "Pieces of Eight Lickety Split" again and again to support this wonderful 8 piece group of musicians led by Eddie Bellis. This is a dynamic workman-like unit who reintroduced our audience to the music commonly regarded as West Coast Jazz. Eddie named the great musicians from Jazz development who created and inspired this musical style.

To name but a few we listened to compositions associated with Gerry Mulligan, Milt Jackson, Miles Davis, Clifford Brown, Herbie Hancock, Bob Haggart and others. This vigorous and disciplined band performed each item as a well oiled machine as each member contributed through their instrument moving so smoothly from one creative solo to the next never straying too far away from the theme. Each performance was a complete work of this Jazz form. The members had a good evening and it was evident the musicians likewise.
The brass front line of Eddie Bellis (trombone), Alan Marshal (Alto sax), John Hudson (Tenor Sax) and Kevin Eland (trumpet and flugel horn) are a powerful quartet who work together like clockwork.  The rhythm section of Paul Wight (drums), Alan Rudd (bass) Roy Willis (guitar) and Bill Britain (keyboard) are a superb support combo, each offering  their own brand of creativity Sitting to the sides of the wind section and from behind they are not forgotten but an integral part of the band.

Should I find this imaginary parrot of mine to be a fast learner I would have to encourage him to also repeat "That's the way to do it" because this band PUNCH their weight in all departments.

PROGRAMME - Westward Walk, Bag's Groove, News, Oil, All Blues. Borgy Boogey, Filthy McNasty, Red Door, Sandu, Limelight, I Remember Clifford, Betty, Alice in Wonderland, St. Thomas, Dolphin Dance, What's New,

Sister Sadie and finally I'm Beginning to See the Light.

DECEMBER MEETING - Wednesday 5th. with Gypsy Jazz  and guest.

See you there.

Peter S.