(Review by Russell (AKA Tolstoy).
The weekend’s finale featured the
Al Wood Nine. Multi instrumentalist Al Wood (trumpet, flugelhorn, alto & soprano saxophones) always puts on
a good show. Bebop Spoken Here last heard him at the Cluny
in Newcastle , for this Darlington
engagement the veteran Yorkshireman brought his A-team with him.
The band: Al
Wood, Jim Corry (alto & soprano saxophones), James Russell (alto &
baritone saxophones), Stuart MacDonald (tenor and bass saxophones), Sam
Thornton (baritone saxophone & vocals), Graham Hearn (piano), Gary Jackson
(double bass) & Bob Howard (drums) + Ernie Jackson (percussion)
Benny Carter’s Come On Over opened the first set with
Simon Kaylor soloing on tenor and Jim Corry on alto. Corry’s altoist band mate
James Russell took a phenomenal solo on Bernie’s
Tune. This was going to be some night! Pianist Graham Hearn, heard recently
up the road at the Lit and Phil in
During the interval one aspiring young drummer was
introduced to Mr Howard…they talked drums. Aim for the stars, Howard did and he
is up there with the best of them! Nat Adderley’s Work Song opened the second set. Double bassist Gary Jackson -
great sound, great technique - grabbed a solo before the altoists (Corry and
Russell) traded fours, fast and furious, then faster and ever more furious!
Wow! Simon Kaylor featured once more on Stella
By Starlight, initially at a slow tempo then up to race speed. It worked. Tenor
man Stuart MacDonald (he made Johnny Griffin sound pedestrian) picked up his
ton weight bass saxophone - great sound, great technique - to lead the parade
on Struttin’ With Some Barbecue (arr.
Hearn), Sam Thornton (baritone) followed with his own cast iron sound. A number
from Phil Wood’s A Btrazilian Affair
concluded matters with solo after solo drawing huge applause. Veteran drummer
Ernie Jackson joined the party as guest percussionist. Quite a finale!
The 2014 edition off the
Darlington Jazz Festival could only be described as a resounding success. The
event is a considerable undertaking and it couldn’t work without the support of
many individuals and organisations. Some of those - apologies for those
omitted, it is a long list! - include Creative Darlington, Darlington Borough
Council, Darlington For Culture, Darlington Jazz Club and the Musicians’
Russell.
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