Mark Williams (guitar); Andy Champion (double bass); Rob Walker
(drums). (Review by JC).
By my
reckoning the Cherry Tree has been running its free Monday night jazz sessions
for at least five years and as far as I am aware, the sessions have taken place
every Monday regardless of summer holidays and other events. This probably
makes it the most consistent jazz session in the North East, which is no mean
achievement. As I live just a couple of drumbeats away I have been there on
quite a few occasions and have always had a good time both musically and
gastronomically. I have heard all the best local and regional musicians in a
variety of different bands some longstanding formations, others creatively
brought together for the occasion. Also, musicians and singers from further
afield pass through and often present a feast of great jazz.
So,
bearing in mind the quality of the music, I have often mused to myself why more
of the local jazz audience don't drop in from time to time. Although entrance
is free, admittedly there is an expectation that people will eat and drink
something while they are there. But with two courses for £16 and a couple of
drinks it should be possible to keep the bill to about 25 quid. Then again
maybe jazz enthusiasts figure that a restaurant with jazz equals bland,
background music. Nothing could be further from the truth and the group tonight
illustrated this beautifully.
The
flyer said the Mark Williams Trio but the MW Super Trio would have been more
like it. What a line-up! Any of these musicians can (and do) play free improv,
scorching modern jazz, jazz prog-rock, beautiful lyrical ballads and their own
compositions, and at least two had recently returned from performing at the
Manchester Jazz Festival and other concerts further south. From the off it
seemed clear that the tunes were carefully chosen for their melodic qualities
and the opportunities they allowed for each of the band to explore their
possibilities. Williams' guitar work had a beautiful bell-like tone with gently
assertive runs and sweet chord sequences. Rob Walker sat in his usual
pleasantly sphinx-style pose, which belies the intricate rhythms on the drums
produced by his hands. On double bass, as always, Andy Champion wove intricate
patterns around the basic bass notes. On one tune he played a long solo
introduction, setting out and extending the tune's melody almost like the lead
instrument. Some of the tunes were familiarly unfamiliar to me but that didn't
matter, as it was the sound and the interplay between the
musicians that was sumptuous. Others I could put a name to, like My One and Only Love, a fabulous version
of My Favourite Things with a
brilliantly subtle solo from Rob Walker. But the standout was Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, as it happens
my parents 'special song', which was exquisitely played with Williams
delicately bending the strings to send wisps of sound into the air.
Jazz
fans give yourselves a treat, get along to the Cherry Tree.
JC
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