Pilgrim St. Set @ Hoochie Coochie. May 15.

Richard Burns (trumpet); Gary Turner (tenor); Paul Edis (piano); Paul Susans (bass); Rob Walker (drums).

Russell was drinking Beaujolais (Roger) along at the Uni so it was left to me to drink the Fosters - as if! - at Hoochie. No, good old London Pride does it for me at this venue as does the Pilgrim Street Set led by Aussie trumpet player Burns, hence the Fosters reference.

This is an ace band with in demand players which, as the leader pointed out in that Crocodile Dundee drawl of his, creates problems. "How ya gonna get guys like this  - gigging 24/7 - together at a moment in time to rehearse?"

How indeed?

"I've written a lot of new songs but we're never all available at one time to rehearse them so, at least for tonight, it will be the same as before."

Jazz, of course, is never the same as before. Good jazz musicians could play C Jam Blues all night and it would still sound fresh by the zillionth chorus.

Gary Turner continues to plough the furrow planted by Coltrane but with his own seeds. Gary blows a 1940 Conn tenor. He gets a sound that makes you wonder if Sherman Tanks weren't built from the same material!

Gary and Richard blew an amazing round of trade choruses. They were freaking out so much it crossed my mind that they were bringing "the outside" back in!

Richard Burns, to my mind, seems to have developed into a major north east modern trumpet player over these last few weeks. Who couldn't with a rhythm section like this behind him?! Edis had fun with the keyboard settings, Susans was, Paul Susans - what more can one say? Rob Walker blew up his usual thunderstorm and the cocktails were 2 for the price of 1. The London Pride didn't meet the cocktail criteria - perhaps I should have asked for a cherry!
Splendid session.
Photos.

Lance.