Alex Baker (tenor saxophone), Dean Stockdale
(piano), Amy Baker (electric bass) & Stephen Fletcher (drums)
(Review by Russell).
The Forum on Borough Road , tucked away behind
Darlington Civic Theatre, presents a range of arts activities across the week
including music, cinema and workshop sessions. Early Sunday evening Darlington
Jazz Club opens for business. Jazz musicians from the north east and
occasionally further afield play two sets to an attentive audience in the bar. This week’s guest Alex Baker (tenor saxophone) was on home ground. A local lad
now living in Sheffield, Baker met up with bass playing sister Amy and the ‘award
winning’ drummer Stephen Fletcher (Baker was to gently tease Fletcher about his
recent success) One hour before the gig Baker made the acquaintance of pianist
Dean Stockdale.
The jazz world is perhaps unique in matching musicians at a
moment’s notice and making it work. The club organisers, well aware of
Stockdale’s abilities, knew they had nothing to worry about, it would be good,
the one question being: how good? A pint of Yard Dog (Ferryhill’s Yard of Ale Brewery) at hand and a chat with
one or two regulars as the quartet ran through a couple of charts and before we
knew it the first set started bang on time. Bessie’s
Blues, This was going to be good! Solar.
Two tunes in, it couldn’t get any better, could it? Mature, full toned tenor
playing, it is worth travelling a distance to hear Alex Baker.
A tenor and
drums intro to the next number made for one regret – the whole of the north
east’s jazz community should have been at the Forum to hear it. Fletcher (the award
winning drummer!) and Baker taking Giant
Steps. Stockdale and Amy Baker got on board Baker’s Trane and positively kicked
ass (as the Americans might say). Superb bass playing (if Amy isn’t you’re
favourite bass player it is simply because you are yet to hear her), chords and
more from Dean ‘McCoy’ Stockdale, Three numbers into the set and the gig had
leapt to the top of the Gig of the Year list! In a Sentimental Mood took it down, the musicianship up there. The
interval. The consensus – fantastic!
Second set, more great piano from
Stockdale on Afro Blue and again on Moment’s
Notice. A ballad was called for. Naima
showcased Baker (Alex). Majestic tenor playing, rhythm section right there.
A gig celebrating the music of John Coltrane, certainly. A gig celebrating the
great tenor playing of Alex Baker. More Trane – Impressions. A gig of exceptional quality, the quartet should do it
again, soon. The next Darlington Jazz Club date is Sunday April 13 with guests
the Strictly Smokin’ Big Band. The third Darlington Jazz Festival runs from
April 24-27. Tickets will sell out. Visit the Forum’s website www.theforumonline.co.uk Check
Bebop Spoken Here nearer the time for a full festival preview. Russell.
No comments :
Post a Comment