Johnny Hunter Quartet @ Bridge Hotel, Newcastle.

Graham South (tpt); Ben Watte (ten); Stewart Wilson (bs); Johnny Hunter (dms).
(Review by Lance/photo by Ken Drew).

Last week the upper room was full, this week it wasn't. Don't ask me why, both bands, Let Spin and the Johnny Hunter Quartet are from the same stable, or rather label (Efpi). Perhaps Newcastle folk decided they'd given enough support to Manchester at Wembley and, not surprisingly, the transpontine fans had had enough of Manchester for one day!

Whatever, those who stayed at home missed out on a good session. Having reviewed the quartet's EP, Appropriations, earlier this week I knew what to expect and I wasn't disappointed.  A pianoless quartet with a foot in the past and an eye to the future, this was very much a young band for today.

Compositions that merged hard bop influenced themes with contemporary, explorative, solos atop a pulsating jazz rock rhythm and strong harmonic bass-lines made this a band to appeal to a wide variety of tastebuds.

At times the overall sound is of the Jazz Messengers sans piano and there is a Mobley-like quality about Watte's tenor sound. South is an adventurous player who I suspect lingers more towards the outside of the jazz perimeter whilst Hunter, last heard at Hoochie with ska/reggae band Skamel drives the horns with the power and panache of a modern day Blakey.  On bass, Wilson is well featured allowing him to display a formidable technique as well as a strong harmonic and melodic foundation.

A band for all seasons.

Photos to follow.

Lance.