GIJF Day Two: Late Night Jam Session @ The Jazz Café

(Review by Russell/photos courtesy of Mike Tilley)

Gone midnight, exit Sage Gateshead, over the Swing Bridge, wandering through Dante’s Inferno (aka the Quayside/Central Station), heels, legs, swaying revellers, side-stepping a freshly deposited curry (Sunday morning’s pigeons’ breakfast) and on to the Jazz Café. A good night it was with Sue Ferris and Dean Stockdale reported Kay. ‘Hello Mike, is there a good crowd in upstairs?’ ‘Yes, a good few’ the reply. A bottle of Grainger Ale, up the stairs we go.

The jam session was in full swing. And it was swinging. Hey! That’s Francesco on piano, Russ Morgan at the kit, the uber-cool Paul Susans laying it down and Mr Mark Williams perched on a stool to one side. Out front, newcomer Alice Grace sang. Word gets around. The vocalist made an impression at Friday night’s jam session at the Globe and here she was again. More sitters-in than one could remember without a hastily scribbled list…the long-time-no-see Sarah Travena turned-up to play soprano, Paul Gowland, a bottle of his favourite Banana Beer at hand, on alto. Talk about ‘long-time-no-see’, Ben Gilbert joined in, Yuya Honami was in the house, Pete Gilligan was around somewhere and house band drummer Tim Johnston was taking five. Caff regulars (some worse for wear), a few jazz heads, one or two new faces, don’t these people have homes to go to?

All the Things You Are, In a Sentimental Mood (Gowland terrific), then a real treat. Stu the Rapper did his thing on The Chicken (Yuya on drums, Susans funkin’, Gowland on the money). Oh, yes. Lindsay was in town. Gilligan back at the keys, he called one last number. Brief discussion, they settled on Straight No Chaser. Veronica Lake (aka Ms L Hannon) invited Alice Grace to join her on the stand. Ms Grace sang and scatted. Wow! A star is born! Grace is in town on a short visit from Dubai. Her intention is to return to Tyneside on a more permanent basis in a couple of months or so. When she does, make it a priority to hear her sing. Gone 2:00am. Dante’s Inferno awaits…        

In no particular order (possibly omitting a name or two, apologies if that is the case), the cast list reads as follows: Peter Gilligan (piano), Paul Susans (double bass & bass), Tim Johnston (drums), Mark Williams (guitar), Paul Gowland (alto), Sarah Travena (soprano), Francesco Falcioni (piano), Ben Gilbert (piano), Russ Morgan (drums), Yuya Honami (drums), Stu the Rapper, Lindsay Hannon (vocals) & Alice Grace (vocals)         

Russell.