Pink Lane Jazz Co-op: Lindsay Hannon and The Blue Jazz Quartet @ Salsa Cafe, Westgate Road, Newcastle (Part 1)

Lindsay Hannon (vocals); Chris Finch (keys); Jeff Smith (saxes); Dave Parker (bass) Michael Howard (drums) Minus Karen Rann (sop. sax, but away doing an art commission)

(Review by Ann Alex).

I entered to see lots of people eating deliciously at small square tables, but there were seats at the front for those who only wanted to listen.  A lively atmosphere with pleasant food smells and a younger audience than at many jazz gigs.  The band began with three instrumentals, an angular tune - Work Song; Beautiful Love; and Alice In Wonderland. Jeff was in fine soloing fettle, there was a drum and bass section in the second tune, and Chris played lovely lyrical keys, as we've come to expect.  
Lindsay then stepped up with a well improvised At Long Last Love and A Foggy Day In London Town, using neat short phrases, a good variation from the drawling way this song is often sung.  Then came one of Lindsay’s masterpieces, Willow Weep For Me, with heartfelt almost-shouts, a song which always reminds me of Ophelia in Hamlet.  I loved Song For My Father, Latin beats of course, and a drum solo which gave Michael a chance to shine, well to beat, anyway.  The first half ended with Love Me Or Leave Me, with adventurous time variations.  Part 2 to follow.

Ann Alex.