Jazz has always been a battlefield. Whether it be the
swing/bop or the trad/modern confrontations of yesteryear or the petty
squabbles of today when Jazz needs a united front more than it ever has.
These thoughts were uppermost in my mind when I paid a visit to the initial Sunday afternoon jam at the Salsa Café.
Sunday afternoon jams are part of the Jazz Legend!
I can relate back to the Bluebell in Felling where, every
Sunday in the 1960s, Teddy Langston and Arthur Luke took on all-comers and
usually sent them home crying! I recollect Paul Gowland's dad Alan, being one
of those who bit the bullet and held his own playing some brilliant vibes.
On my honeymoon - We went to a Sunday lunchtime jam at the
Tally Ho in
Kentish
Town - the jam session to
end all jam sessions.
So today, a jam at Salsa, meant the tradition had been
revived and it looked good.
On stage, John
Rowland (ten); Karan Rann (sop); Chris Finch (pno); Dave Parker (bs); Peter Ninnim (dms) + 2
guitarists whose faces I recognised but couldn't put a name to - was
one of them Billy Mills?
I looked around me, the band had a good groove going on one of
those bop numbers you know backwards but can't click with a title! Jen Errington and Kath Jobes were poised with lead sheets at the ready. Paul Gowland was unpacking his tenor and yet - although there were folks at tables - where was the supposed vibrant jazz community Newcastle so often boasts about? Apart from myself and the performers, where were the fans?
Wherever they were hiding, they missed a treat.
Jen sang Imagination and East of the Sun - love the way she ends this one. The band did Well You Needn't and our BSH correspondent Kath impressed with Good Morning Heartache. Paul Gowland moved on stage to blow some tenor behind K on They Can't Take That Away From me. If K picks up sax the way she's getting into singing then look out!
The band blew Four without fours and John Rowland put the jam to bed with In a Sentimental Mood.
Special mention of the rhythm section - Chris, Dave and Peter were rock solid.
The jam's on again next week so bring your horn, your axe and your support.
Lance.
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