Dave
Weisser (trumpet & vocals), Ray Johnson (trumpet & flugelhorn), Don
Forbes (trumpet), Barry Ascroft (keyboards), Paul Grainger (double bass),
Norman Redhead , Matthew MacKellar (drums) + Pete Gilligan (keyboards)
(Review by Russell).
Something of a trumpeters’ convention
this week at the Chilli with workshop leader Dave Weisser, Ray Johnson and bop
stalwart Don Forbes. Weisser proclaimed: Hey,
we’ve got a band! Three trumpet players and a well-oiled rhythm section –
yes, a band indeed!
The band kicked-off with Straight No Chaser, the frontline three
enjoyed the playing and company of one
another. No sooner had the session got under way and in walked regular drummer
Matthew MacKellar and not far behind him was pianist Pete Gilligan. Drummer Redhead, readily, resumed door duties to allow MacKellar on to the stand.
It didn’t take too long before a
good natured argument/discussion broke out about matters musical. There was
much talk of a chart that didn’t make sense with Weisser’s side-kick Barry
Ascroft declaring:, You couldn’t roll a
bowl of flowers! This phrase was a new one to your reviewer, perhaps its
origin lies in Ascroft’s Lancastrian roots. Ray Johnson took up the flugel on Little Flower and solos flowed from top
bass man Paul Grainger and the ascerbic Ascroft.
Don Forbes suggested the first of
three Stan Tracey numbers; No Good Boyo,
followed by I Lost My Step in Nantucket and Penpals.
Weisser left it to Forbes, then Johnson, to dig into ST’s back catalgogue but
there was no stopping MacKellar (right there, keen to take on a round of
fours). Ascroft went to the bar leaving Pete Gilligan to take the piano stool.
PG worked the intro to Moment’s Notice (strong
trumpet from Johnson) and one of the evening’s highlights featured Weisser’s
vocals on I Can’t Get Started.
Russell.
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