Peter Gilligan (pictured top left) (piano); Paul Grainger (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums) + Ian Forbes (drums); Ann Alex, Katherine Lowden (pictured top right), Kath Jobes (vocals).
(Review by Lance/Photos courtesy of Mike Tilley).
A jam session sans horns is a rare phenomenon! Tonight, the only instrumentalist was the Grand Old Man of North East Jazz Ian Forbes who once again displayed his consummate percussive artistry. Jeff Armstrong too impressed à la batterie* albeit on a scaled down kit minus floor tom and small tom.
The trio more than made up for the shortage of jammers with a choice selection of tunes such as Dear Old Stockholm - which Stan Getz recorded as Standinavian many years ago - Jim Hall's Waltz New, Michel Petrucciani's Looking Up, All Blues, Opus de Funk, Wayne Shorter's Footprints, I Thought About You and Unsquare Dance. These were just a few of the numbers that allowed some dazzling piano technique from Gilligan, sound basswork by Grainger and tasteful and sympathetic drumming from Armstrong.
A break then time for some "birdsong". First out of the nest was Ann Alex for a spirited version of I Got Rhythm. The trio played an imaginative Scarborough Fair and Katherine Lowden sang (I think) It's Been a Long Time and Tenderly. Ms Lowden has the range and uses it effectively. Finally Kath Jobes gave us I'm Beginning to See the Light and Bye Bye Blackbird.
This was but the start of a good week for singers. Today (Wednesday May 7) Lindsay Hannon Plus are at Hexham Jazz Club; Thursday Lindsay has her CD Launch at the Lit and Phil; Friday funkster Ray Harris returns to Hoochie Coochie; Saturday Jason Isaacs Big Band are at City Hall; Monday the Paul Skerritt Band are at the Cherry Tree and Wednesday (May 14) Joe Stilgoe is at Sage Gateshead.
A lot of good listening ahead.Lance.
* A reminder that Saturday night at "Le Café du Jazz" is French night with two French bands performing.
No comments :
Post a Comment