(Review by Russell).
88 Basie Street Bolivia
Day two of the second Darlington
Jazz Festival dawned early for some (9.15.am) with registrations being taken for a workshop at ten
o’clock Trumpeter Matt Roberts led
the session. An early afternoon public performance featured so many
participants they could just about squeeze onto the stage in the main hall. The
students spanned the generations (reeds,
trombones, trumpets and a lively rhythm section). The inspirational Roberts did
a remarkable job in knocking into shape a disparate group of keen jazzers in no
time at all. Two pieces - Sonny Moon for Two and Now’s the Time - gave everyone the
opportunity to take the spotlight; some taking as little as two bars or for
those at a more advanced level a well-crafted solo. Each and every contribution
mattered and for them to give it a go in front of an audience was to their
credit. The audience certainly let them know they were appreciated. What a
great start to the day!
Lickety Split, Tyneside’s ace exponents of all things West Coast,
presented a polished set of classic numbers. Bag’s Groove, Squeasy Magee,
a tip-of-the-hat to Clifford Brown with Kevin
Eland (trumpet/flugel) a joy to listen to (Blues March and Joyspring),
The one session scheduled for the
bar/café area on day two of the festival didn’t happen due to Dougie Pugh being
indisposed. More of that later. In the main hall South
Shields ’ finest - the Customs
House Big Band - did a sound check as the room filled to capacity eager to
hear more big band sounds. Led by Peter
Morgan (bass trombone), the band roared into action with Love for Sale. All sections fired first
time.. Altoist Jill Brett,
first-call tenor dep Richie Emmerson,
trumpeter Michael Lamb and drummer Paul Wight, fresh from his stint with Lickety Slpit (quality brush work
with LS), booted it along. Just Friends,
But Beautiful (Brett featured) and Fever worked all sections with MD Morgan
seemingly content as he took his place in the ranks.
The imperious Ruth Lambert joined the band to sing a few numbers - Teach Me Tonight and Cheek to Cheek were but two of the
highlights. The latter had it all; great arrangement, sensitive brush work from
Wight, a concise contribution from guitarist Roy Willis, muted trumpet from Lamb and tasteful trombone courtesy
of Chris Kurji-Smith. And of course,
Ms Lambert.
Sing Sang Sung guaranteed
the band left the stage with it all Sing Sang Sung. Job done. That was that.
Festival finished for another year. Well, sort of…the regular Sunday night Jazz Club
session at the Forum followed acting as an unofficial, extended encore to the
main event. Two young bands and a senior outfit crammed in a lot of music over
three hours. The Little Big Band
acts as a feeder band to the Durham County Youth Band. Young, developing
musicians, they gained invaluable experience and no little confidence, playing
to a packed room with siblings, parents, grand parents and friends present to
give vociferous support to all on stage. All were stars as they got stuck into
their programme which included Stompin’
at the Savoy, Splanky and Watermelon Man. America ) and were so inspired they
formed their own band! New Orleans
street brass funk just about sums them up. A high
energy performance (much mopping of brows) from the brass - reeds - keys -
guitar - percussion ensemble had them dancing in the isles! 5-0-4-0, Sir Duke, The Chicken, Day Tripper (yeah!), Spain
(Matt Roberts joined the party for this one) and the Soul Rebels’ We Got That Fire made for a fitting
finale to a fantastic weekend. To return to the session that never was. The non
appearance of local legend Dougie Pugh meant there was a vacant spot to be
filled. A few heads got together and a rhythm section assembled in the bar. Not
just any rhythm section mind you, this was the Jazz Tones’ rhythm section - Steve
McGarvie (keyboards), Amy Baker
(bass) and Stephen Fletcher (drums)
and they were joined, variously, by a frontline made in Jazz Heaven. Johnny Dunn (trumpet/flugelhorn), Matt
Roberts (trumpet), Chris Hibbard
(trombone) and Alex Baker (tenor).
As is often the way in the bar at a festival the punters don’t necessarily give
the music and the musicians their full attention. On this occasion by the end
of the first number everyone was listening. The impromptu set list - A Night in Tunisia, Watermelon Man, Stella by Starlight (Dunn on flugel) and
Blue Monk just some of the tunes - gives
an indication of the sort of session this was, but only an indication. This was
and is this reviewer’s Gig of the Year. Bravura frontline playing had old hands
listening intently, then cheering, then listening. What a session! The best
playing heard in many a year, anywhere. To think the set wasn’t a scheduled
event. Brilliant, simply brilliant. Darlington Jazz Festival is the friendly
jazz festival. Shaune Eland and co (so many of them, they know who they are)
put on a great show. Darlington Jazz Festival 2014 can’t come soon enough.
Russell.
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