Keith
Robinson (alto saxophone), Niall Armstrong (tenor saxophone & flute), Dave
Hignett (trumpet & flugelhorn), Andy Hawking (keyboards), Tony Abel (double
bass) & David Francis (drums)
(Review by Russell).
Murray Mania. The Scot we’re proud to claim
as a Brit! The town was quiet, the denizens BBQ-ed out, in a slumber. But wait,
Sunday means one thing… Splinter @ the Bridge. The faithful turned out as
usual. Good to see Alter Ego back at the Bridge. It was warm, very warm.
Windows open – the sounds of modern jazz hung on the air.
The sextet’s set list featured
compositions by the masters of the art; Dexter Gordon, Hank Mobley, Bobby Shew,
Bobby Watson and others. Solos were shared around, the frontline horns assured
soloists, so too pianist Andy Hawking and the new boy, bassist Tony Abel. David
Francis drove the band – Blakey style – with authority, swinging it in tandem
with Abel (a partnership full of promise). Cheesecake,
The Soulful Mr Timmons and Alter Ego featured, respectively, Dave
Hignett’s stirring trumpet work, the alto of Keith Robinson and Niall
Armstrong’s first-rate flute playing. Top trumpet from Hignett on Hit and Run closed a good first set.
One or two late comers took their
seats in time for the second set opener – Bobby Shew’s Red Snapper (Armstrong’s tenor and Hawking’s piano highlights).
Monk’s Think of One took it down
(growling, plungered trumpet, playful piano, bassist Abel more than). Bobby
Watson’s A Wheel Within a Wheel took the brakes off, the rhythm
section cookin’ on a steamin’ night. A good session from a cracking band. Catch
Alter Ego on Sunday (14 July) at the Forum on Borough Road in Darlington
(doors 5:30 pm).
Splinter’s scheduled session on
14 July – the Corrie Dick Quartet – has been cancelled. Stay tuned to Bebop
Spoken Here for news of Splinter’s enticing alternative offer!
Russell.
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