Darlington Jazz Festival. Saturday Evening April 26

(Review by Russell)

A pint of White Boar Bitter (the Forum’s house beer), a chance to check-out guitarist Tom Stephenson’s set in the bar, a bit crack, then back to the hall for the main event of the evening.

Darlington Jazz Festival can be proud to have secured the services of world class trombonist Mark Nightingale. A virtuoso musician, his concert performance exceeded the highest of expectations and throughout his stay the British born star made himself readily available to all, no airs and graces, down to earth, approachable, happy to sign a CD cover, have a chat and sit-in at the late night jam session. In concert (the hall standing room only) Nightingale worked with the magnificent Durham Alumni Big Band.

The ensemble is comprised of the finest musicians tutored through Durham Music Service. Some have gone on to make a career in music, others have taken a different path. The common denominator uniting/reuniting them being excellence in music. The trombone section listened in awe as Nightingale played trombone that most can only dream of doing. Cole Porter’s All of You (arr, Allan Ganley) and Ellington’s In My Solitude (arr. Duncan Lamont) illustrated Nightingale’s appreciation of the talents of arranger and composer. The band’s finest stepped up to the mark. Matt Roberts, Johnny Dunn (trumpet and flugelhorn), Alex Baker (tenor saxophone). There Will Never Be Another You, It Can Happen to You and from the NYJO pad The Perfumed Garden. Dunn reprised his Great North Big Band Jazz Festival award-winning performance on the latter number. The rhythm section worked tirelessly - none finer than Ellie Ratcliffe (piano), Robbie Chapman-Thong (guitar), Amy Baker (bass) and drummer Stephen Fletcher. Nightingale paid tribute to north east born musician, the late Steve Gray (BBC Big Band) highlighting his skills as an arranger with an up-tempo take on A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square. Benny Golson’s Whisper Not featured fabulous trombone and ensemble playing, similarly Cole Porter’s The Song Is You (arr. Allan Ganley). Tumultuous applause. For an encore - Nica’s Dream. A memorable occasion.

Late night in the bar began with one of the region’s finest pianists playing solo for the best part of an hour. Alan Law entertained the attentive listener, others deep in conversation having exited the adjacent hall (Mark Nightingale and the Durham Alumni Big Band). The amiable Law played chorus upon chorus, improvising to his heart’s content on any number of tunes that took his fancy including Nature Boy, Our Love Is Here to Stay and There Will Never Be Another You. Late, late night, Law invited sitters-in to join him and a fantastic jam session ensued. The big hitters - including Matt Roberts, Alex Baker, Johnny Dunn, Chris Hibbard (trombone) and the man himself Mark Nightingale – blew the roof off.            

Russell.