Dave
Weissser (trumpet & vocals), Peter Hepplewhite (clarinet), Rachel Rickman
(alto saxophone), Barrie Ascroft (keyboards), Ray Truscott (electric bass),
Norman Redhead (drums), Matthew MacKellar (drums)
(Review by Russell)
With the advertised attraction
Mike Papapavlou absent, it was a case of wait and see who turned-up at Dave
Weisser’s weekly workshop. The mainstays were there, of course – Dave Weisser,
Barrie Ascroft and Norman Redhead – and the frequently gigging Ray Truscott
took his turn in the bass chair. Add altoist Rachel Rickman and the keen
clarinet of Peter Hepplewhite (himself something of a regular at the weekly
session at the Chilli) and we had the makings of a good night. A pint of Workie Ticket at hand, let’s go!
Rickman
and Hepplewhite were first to delve into the pad and out came All Blues (top vocal from trumpeter Weisser).
The same again from Weisser on All Right
Okay You Win. DW informed the
audience that the arrangement (arr.G.Elliott) was given to him by the late Kay
Rouselle. The north east of
A Mose Allison blues, followed by
some West Coast Gerry Mulligan (Walking
Shoes) in the East End of Toon (bass and drums solo spots) then in walked Freddie Freeloader (Truscott flying
across the frets, the veteran Ascroft right there). Fourteen years old, drummer
Matthew MacKellar (a student of Geoff Armstrong), hit the traps with spot-on
patterns on a rollercoaster Caravan
and his rhythm partner Truscott shone once more.
The interval; a raffle ticket,
another one from the always-tip-top Mordue Brewery, a chat with Matthew and
Mackellar Snr. and time – Weisser Time – was moving on. Second set…Blue Bossa (military medium drumming
from MacKellar), Ascroft and Truscott trading and a round of ‘fours’. The drum
stool vacated by MacKellar the senior man – Norman Redhead – took over and played
it just right on Round Midnight,
solos all and the piano, bass and drums trio grabbed a few bars.
Dave Weissers’s weekly workshop
would go on ‘til round midnight such is his enthusiasm for the music. Band
mates and audience alike informed DW it was around five minutes to eleven. The
indefatigable Weisser reluctantly called time with Blues For Duane. A good night at the Chilli.
Russell.
1 comment :
Dave rather liked being called indefatigable!
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