Bradley Johnston (guitar), Peter Gilligan (keyboards), Paul Susans (double bass) & Paul Wight (drums)
(Review by Russell/photos courtesy of Mike Tilley.)
Undergraduate guitar student
Bradley Johnston stepped-up to the plate to lead his own quartet on a coveted
Friday night date at the Jazz Café in Newcastle .
If the young man felt nervous ahead of the advertised eight o’clock start it
didn’t show. Johnston ’s
band mates were on the stand ready to go and right on time they hit the ground
running with a bright and breezy take
on Wave.
Sonny Rollins’ Doxy cooked.
A vigorous My Funny Valentine (‘You count it in, man’ said Wight) had the
backing of the boys with Wight’s fizzing stick-work, Peter Gilligan’s
superlative supporting piano and Susans’ smiling admiration for Johnston clear
for all to see. Guitarist Johnston
is a composer; Pat’s Waltz (referencing
a major influence – the one and only Pat Metheny) could have been written by a
seasoned musician. We are sure to hear more original material. The sixty
minutes’ first set concluded with a raucous Moose
the Mooche.
Two numbers into the second set,
amidst the hottest playing of the night (a Pat Metheny composition), disaster
struck as the bridge on Paul Susan’s double bass collapsed. Bull fiddle
prostrate, Susans kneeling over it effecting repairs, Wight sat out as Johnston and Gilligan
played an impromptu Spring is Here.
Fantastic! But wait! Susans appeared to be losing the battle, the de-stringed
instrument looked a terminal case. Gilligan joined bass man Susans on the floor,
attempting string-to-string resuscitation. What to do? ‘Play solo, Bradley!’
And so he did. Unflustered, Bradley Johnston played But Beautiful. Amazing, say no more.
Susans and instrument stood
upright (temporary repairs effected), game on. Stella By Starlight – it couldn’t get any better. Bandleader Johnston introduced his
band – Peter Gilligan, Paul Susans and Paul Wight. The boys in the band made
sure we knew who we were listening to…‘Bradley Johnston!’ Huge applause and
then they took on Coltrane and tore it up!
Dr James Birkett had a gig of his
own at the Globe (see Dean Stockdale review). He would have loved this set.
Catch Bradley Johnston at a north east gig soon, because if you don’t, then in
a year or two you’ll likely as not find him in London or New York.
Russell.
2 comments :
First visit to the Jazz Cafe on Friday Feb 13th 2015 and WOW what a treat! We never expected to here Jazz of this standard in the North East, My brother has travelled to London to get his fix of Jazz music for years always returning with the words when you hear real quality Jazz you will be hooked! He is right but no need to travel to London the Jazz Cafe put on a top quality band and we enjoyed every minute of it from a group of quality musicians, great night one to remember , big thanks to the Jazz Cafe and the Band.
Hi Phillip - so pleased you enjoyed the session at the Jazz Cafe - check it out again for the jam session on tuesday. Maybe your brother could bring some hot shots up from London - cool them down! No seriously, there is a good scene going on here in Newcastle and, if you check out our listings you may never watch TV again!
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