Soznak @ The Globe – October 25

Graham Robinson (sax); Steve Mounter (trombone); Paul Miskin (keys); Hank Hayes (banjo);

Chris Dobson (bass); Yannik Tchicmi (drums); plus various other instruments which made an appearance, such as mouthorgan. shakers, Flugelhorn (?) and a steel pan effect from somewhere.

(Review by Ann Alex).

The Jazz Coop at the Globe is making an honest attempt to present a broad array of music besides straight jazz, and this gig proved the point.  This band is often to be heard on the streets of Newcastle, doing their reggae, Afro jazz, and even 80’s pop, and tonight indoors they gave us all three with good measure, in 2 long sets totalling about 2 hours 20 minutes.  This was a fun night all round and by the end most people were up dancing.  What’s not to like?

They were straight in with tunes such as the Ghostbusters theme, Red Wine, Tainted Love, Just Can’t Get Enough, Let’s Work Together. Watermelon Man, a Buena Vista Social Club number, and many other tunes I couldn’t put a name to, such as a song about cats with ‘Meows’ in the words, reggae mentioning ‘power to the people’, skilled Afro jazz numbers, a piece based on Prokofiev, and a version of a Duke Ellington tune.  All with lots of singing from most of the band and many solos, yes, even from the banjo!  A very enjoyable evening.  Catch them on the streets soon, or go to their next gig at Summerhill Bowling Club, Newcastle.  But sorry, I can’t tell you the date of that as I was too busy dancing when it was announced.  

Ann Alex