Big Sid Catlett Reigns @ King’s Hall, Newcastle Uni. November 27

(Review by Russell).

The ‘Student Performances’ hour, late afternoon, Thursdays, throws up unexpected delights. The jazz content today featured drummer Lewis West and a trio playing a  well-received set of three tunes. Add classical clarinet, folk guitar and a West End (London) show girl to the mix and it really is a variety hour.

Annabel Warnock sang three numbers including Maybe This Time (excellent piano accompaniment from Matthew Ryan). Clarinettist James Insalaco offered Weber’s Grand Duo Concetant for clarinet and piano and the first and third pieces from Igor Stravinsky’s Three Pieces for Solo Clarinet (Insalaco is an accomplished player) and guitarist Dan Morgan played two pieces, one of them John Renbourn’s The Lady and the Unicorn. He played the Renbourn piece very well, just as well given that the man himself had earlier been in the department to conduct a guitar workshop!

The jazz trio – Jamie Lawson, piano, Ed Addo, trumpet and vocals and drummer Dan Egdell – played three numbers. Ain’t No Sunshine, Misty and Outkast’s Roses. It was the trumpet and vocals of Addo that stole the show. Soulful singing, bold trumpet (the mute in use on Misty). Addo should get to a jam session! The Lewis West programme – a one number affair – won great applause. Max Roach’s For Big Sid sounded great. No doubt hours of practice (examination time looms) helped West perform with calm authority. More of the same in two week time (Dec 11).      

Russell.