(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. 
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