(Review by Russell).
The latest in Jazz North East’s
series of Schmazz gigs at the Jazz Café
featured British guitarists Mike Walker and Stuart McCallum. All seats in the
upstairs room were taken (two of the north east’s finest six-stringers bagged
prime seats) and the stage resembled the guitar section of your local musical
instrument store. The Greater Manchester-based duo settled down to play the
first of two mainly acoustic sets in a setting Walker
later described as having ‘a good vibe’.
The material consisted of
original compositions (a Schmazz prerequisite) and one or two standards. The
opening number had an
A Walker composition – Wallenda’s Last Stand – inspired by the life story of a high wire
walker’s final, fatal, do or die journey and McCallum’s The French Song
illustrated their talents as tunesmiths. The second set heard McCallum’s Beholden and Walker ’s Clock
Maker. Walker
introduced the latter number with a hilarious, true tale of his friend
saxophonist Iain Dixon’s father’s clock making obsession. Imagine a house full
of clocks – He made one every four
minutes, said Walker
– all primed to chime on the hour. It was Walker ’s
mission in life when visiting Dixon Snr to leave before the cacophonous clock
chorus struck up! A distinct folk strand ran through the second set, notably
McCallum’s tune inspired by a visit to the Shetlands and his authentic folk
ballad Seasons. The one time student
of Walker has gone on to work in a variety of contexts including a plum job
with John Surman, tenure with the hip Cinematic Orchestra and work with Tim
Garland’s Northern Underground Orchestra (including an appearance at the Durham
Miners’ Gala a few years ago). This Schmazz gig was one for students of the
guitar rather than one for the jazz guitar purist.
Earlier, pianist Paul Taylor
played a solo set in the downstairs bar. The Tyneside-based Taylor developed ideas from an impressionist
palette, quietly applying complementary hues to an uncluttered canvas. The
audience listened intently, some seemingly holding a breath, such was the
silence during a half hour improvisation.
Next month’s Schmazz concert at
the Jazz Café departs from the usual last Tuesday in the month date. The double
bill of Troyka and Pulcinella can be heard on Tuesday 15 July.
Russell.
3 comments :
Great gig, very inspiring gig Mike!
Thoroughly enjoyable gig left the jazz cafe buzzing. Great tunes, great repartee, great music, great night.
An amazing night.
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