Jamil Sheriff Trio with Josh Kemp @ The Lit & Phil. February 6

Jamil Sheriff (piano), Pete Turner (double bass), Dave Walsh (drums) + Josh Kemp (tenor and alto saxophones) + Archie

(Review by Russell/Photos by Ken Drew.)

Jazz North East’s first promotion since their marathon fundraiser drew a decent crowd. Presented in association with the Lit and Phil, pianist Jamil Sheriff and Dave Walsh (drums) drove up from Leeds and bassist Pete Turner, with Archie in tow, made the journey across the Pennines from the north west. Sheriff has recently been writing reams of material and some of it got a work out during this Newcastle engagement.

Trio Piece No.1 set the tone; a swinging piano trio composition, all three musicians into a groove from the off. Applause woke Archie from his slumbers. Our four-legged friend leapt to his feet, tail wagging as he ran around the room  Master Turner commanded he return to his dog basket and good as gold did just that receiving a pat on the back on the way.

A blues undercurrent is omnipresent in Sheriff’s two handed style and Bluish brought it to the surface. The pianist’s academic colleague, Les Chisnall, inspired an as yet untitled ballad. It required the trio’s total concentration as they negotiated the complexities of the charts before them.

Crazy Happy, incorporated multiple changes in tempi, ostensibly determined by the ever-impressive Dave Walsh. All three musicians appeared to be all too aware of where they were going (excellent solo from Turner), no matter, it worked a treat! To close the first set Sheriff introduced a new name to Tyneside – Josh Kemp. Suited and booted, the amiable tenor man blew impressively; big sound, warm tone, secure technique. Loud applause greeted Kemp’s extended opening solo. The Lit and Phil crowd clearly liked what they heard. What would the second set bring? During the interval Kemp’s CD sold to more than one punter sufficiently impressed on hearing one number.

The second set heard some alto, indeed much alto, ranging from near smooth jazz excursions to convincing statements (Kemp’s true voice?) on numbers such as So Long, Dave. Kemp returned to the tenor (briefly deploying Roland Kirk’s two horns party piece) and the quartet swung out to the delight of an impressed Lit and Phil audience. Jamil Sheriff thanked all concerned for arranging the gig and providing hospitality on the night. He added his name to a growing list of pianists in praising the Lit and Phil’s fine piano and the good acoustic of the Loftus Room. Archie and co are welcome to return any time.    

Ken Drew Photos.                          

Russell.