Debra Milne (vcl); Steve Glendinning (gtr); Paul Grainger (bs);
Lewis West (dms) + Chris Finch (flug); Peter Ninnim (dms); Dave Parker (bs);
Katherine Lowdon, Andrea, Jen (vcl).
(Review by Lance.)
Not surprisingly there was an air of sadness and disbelief hanging
over The Star tonight as folk struggled to come to terms with the tragic death
of Heather Arthur (see previous post) and it was fitting that Debra should
dedicate the session to her memory. I imagine it was a similar scenario over at
The Chilli.
After a soundcheck on Jordu,
Debra and her Ensemble got things underway with Four which ended with, wait for it, a round
of fours featuring a new young drummer - Lewis West - who demonstrated he was au fait with jazz protocol.
Steve Glendinning had some praiseworthy solos whilst Paul Grainger
fought manfully against a spiralling spotlight that constantly changed colours
so that sometimes he appeared to be either blushing, had yellow jaundice or a
severe case of measles. It didn't affect his playing which was as
sound as ever although the spotlight sometimes made it seem as though he were
spinning the bass bull-fiddle fashion!
As for Debra, she gave her usual polished renditions of jazz
classics, originals and standards. Particularly poignant tonight was her Jazz
Café song as Heather too was an habitué of that famed venue.
For the jam, Glendinning remained on stage to be joined by Chris
Finch on flugel, Dave Parker (bass) and Peter Ninnim (drums).
Chris had a rich, mellow sound on Someone to Watch Over me and Blue
Monk. A singer new to me - Katherine Lowdon - scored mightily with Moanin' but didn't quite get it together on When Sunny Gets Blue which isn't an easy song. Will follow
her progress with interest.
The evening was rounded off by two singers from the Jazz Singing
Class - Andrea who impressed with Straight no Chaser and Jen who did likewise
with Night and Day.
Photos.
Lance.
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