Djangologie @ Bridge Hotel, Newcastle - JNE Xmas Party.

Emma Fisk (vln); James Birkett/Giles Strong (gtr); Mick Shoulder (bs).

A good crowd and a good band - what more do you need for a Xmas Party? Nothing!

This Jazz North East celebration of Christmas was indeed a Cracker. An absolutely perfect gig by four immaculate players.

First time I'd heard Emma Fisk since she was, in my eyes and ears, the "Revelation of the 2013 Whitley Bay Classic Jazz Party" earlier this year. Back on familiar territory, Emma swung even more. Single saxophone -like lines culminating in chordal thrashes put Emma high on the hypothetical musician of the year list. Indeed the whole band should be up there. James Birkett is simply the guitarists' guitarist. Any style, James can handle it. Giles may be playing the ingénue on rhythm guitar but, on those moments when the cage is opened, he proves he too can fly.

Mick Shoulder's bass credentials are written in tablets of stone but his composing abilities are less well known. Several of his pieces were included in tonight's program and it must be said, they were so much in tune with the idiom they could have been written by Django or Stephane themselves.

And do you know what the highlight of an evening of highlights was?

The encore - Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer! Yes, played in a minor key, this was arguably the best instrumental version yet of this much maligned Xmas favourite.

There are lots of great Hot Club bands around both here and abroad but take it from me - Djangologie rank with the best

Chapeaux Madame et Messieurs! 

Lance.
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