Alan Glen (keyboards), John Pope (double bass) &
Paul Wight (drums)
Intros are often extended (works of art in themselves), the tune cleverly
disguised, slowly revealed. Pope and Wight can be left hanging, waiting their
cue and then they’re off! Swinging jazz piano, a ballad, all carried off with
aplomb considering Barrie Ascroft’s keyboard refused to deliver Rocket 88, more
like 87, then 86, 85…! Take it to the Bridge need a new piano! JP’s bull fiddle
needed a good talking to. JP did his best but it just wouldn’t co-operate –
picture the scene…mid - tune, up tempo, as our bassman fought valiantly to keep
it in tune without missing a note! Victor Young’s Weaver of Dreams, an all-time classic if ever there was one,
followed and then a Glen original, I do believe - Put That in Your Pipe and Smoke It-– stood comparison with the
GASbook and Dizzy got a look in with Woody
‘n’ You .
(Review
by Russell)
Pianist Alan
Glen last played at the Chillingham in August of last year. It was good to have
him back working once again with bassist John Pope and versatile drummer Paul
Wight. Glen’s set list draws on the standards - It’s You or No One, How Deep Is the
Ocean?, You Don’t Know What Love Is, Beautiful Love - yet he finds something new to say every time.
A first class
set. Don’t leave it so long before you return Mr Glen.
Take it to the
Bridge: Dave Weisser (flugelhorn & vocals), Barrie
The Chilli’s
regular session, either side of Alan Glen’s master class, featured a slew of
familiar names. Good to see Dave Weisser looking and sounding so good, mainstay
Barrie Ascroft held it all together, Weisser and Paul Gowland (tenor) worked
horns in unison on There is No Greater
Love.and the music student himself, Ivan Scutt, turned up to play a couple
of tunes. DW sang on Chick Corea’s 500 Miles
High (excellent tenor from Gowland) and two highlights of the evening…one,
a recurring strand in the form of five and six string bassist Deon Krishnan -
first rate, sensitive playing, the other a cracking take on All Blues featured Harley Johnson
(himself a music student these days), Gowland, six-string Krishnan and DW. Paul
Wight played all night – strike a medal! Great playing all round. Time was up
and they brought it home with Blues for
Duane. What a great night!
Russell.
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