Alan
Glen (keyboards), Paul Grainger (double bass) & Paul Wight (drums)
(Review by Russell).
From time to time Dave Weisser
offers one of the region’s bands a guest spot at his weekly jazz workshop at
the Chillingham. The latest such occasion featured an all too rare appearance by
the doyen of north east pianists Alan Glen. Beautiful
Love opened the programme with bassist Paul Grainger (depping for John
Pope) alongside regular drummer Paul Wight. Glen’s intros are the stuff of
legend, keeping the audience guessing, bass and drums awaiting their cue.
Ideas
flowed one after another. You Don’t Know
What Love Is heard the trio to best effect. Grainger had settled in nicely (soloing
confidently), Wight’s brush work a strong suit and Glen’s rich textures a
delight. Night Shade (a Latin/bossa
feel) exercised new boy Grainger’s chops – he passed with flying colours,
albeit with a ringing of the hands. Glen doesn’t take any prisoners! A first
rate set.
Alan Glen appears at the Jazz Café at the end of March. Treat
yourself. Check Bebop Spoken Here
nearer the time.
Dave Weisser’s band played two
sets either side of Alan Glen’s master class. Weisser (trumpet/flugel)
engaged Wight (first set, Norman Redhead second set) and Grainger
for the evening alongside mainstay Barrie
Yardbird Suite, My Romance, Swing for Debby,
The Shadow of Your Smile – great tunes played with enthusiasm. A good night
at the Chilli. From one week to the next you never know who will turn up. It is
one of the joys of the session. Get along on a Wednesday night. For a quid you
can’t go wrong and the beers are as good as you’ll find.
Russell.
PS: you can also catch the Alan
Glen Trio at The Cherry Tree Restaurant, Jesmond, on Monday March 24 where Alan
will be delighting diners via a well tuned baby grand with, of course, his
rhythm section.
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