Pink Lane Jazz Co-op: @ No. 28 Nelson Street, Newcastle: March 22, 2013

Featuring The Lindsay Hannon Plus; Don Forbes Safe Sextet; Jazz Funk Master D

I’m unable to give an adequate review of this because I wasn't able to stay very long, so I’d love someone else to chip in with an account of the evening.  This was a very sociable gig in a crowded venue which had a pleasant, almost rural atmosphere with lots of plants, a wooden-arched terraced area, old fashioned lights, and a cityscape mural on one wall, though I’d rather have done without the pictures of scantily-clad women which adorned some walls.  The audience included many young people, some of whom were surely Jazz Café regulars, and, of course, the usual jazzers, and Keith’s friend Robert Foster went round with a collection bucket to get money for the co-op.  I had difficulty in hearing Lindsay’s band because the audience were quite noisy, but they, the band, looked as if they were doing fine, and I sadly missed most of the rest of the evening – the Metro rules again!

Watch out for the gig on Saturday April 13 at Newcastle Arts Centre, when you can see Mo Scott and Paul Edis; Hannabiell and Midnight Blue; The Strictly Smokin' Big Band; plus swing dancing and poetry. From 7.30pm till 1am.  Too good to miss – should I order my taxi now?

Ann Alex