Jazz Café Jam - May 19.

Peter Gilligan (pno); Paul Grainger (bs); Bradley Johnston (gtr); Paul Wight (dms) + Joel Brown (pno); Tom Lapworth (gtr); Thomas Dixon (alt); Dan Foote (dms); Paul Gowland (alt); Rob Bates (dms); David Gray (tmb); Johnny "Blue Hat" Davis (ten); Mark Williams (gtr); Matt Mullen (bs); Ian Forbes (dms); Richard Herdman (gtr); James Robson (bs).

(Review by Lance).

I've probably missed or mispelt some names but the above roll of honour comprises the bulk of the musicians who contributed to the Tuesday jam at the Jazz Café.

There were the inevitable highs and lows associated with any impromptu performance but, suffice to say, there were more highs than lows. Too many in fact to list them all!

As ever, the house quartet provided the openers and later the springboard for those diving in at the deep end. 

I Fall in Love Too Easily included an immaculate bass solo by Paul Grainger whilst There Will Never be Another You had Gilligan and Johnston unveiling the licks kicked nicely along by Wight.

Young Joel whose playing displays a maturity beyond his tender years (15? 16?) took over on piano for Nature Boy. A conflict of keys caused the starter to bring the runners and riders back to the gate before finally setting off on the Theme from Black Orpheus. This tune has at least three titles and I think they played all three of them.

Sonora by Hampton Hawes is always a delight to hear and the back four never fail to do it justice.

At this point in the evening the musicians came and went with such rapidity keeping track was difficult. Tom Lapworth on guitar was superseded by Richard Herdman who in turn bequeathed the throne to Mark Williams. It's Mark's birthday today so it's many happy returns to Mark (He's at The Globe on Saturday.)

With Dan Foote on drums, Thomas Dixon blew alto on Autumn Leaves and Doxy - tentatively feeling his way. Nothing tentative about David Gray. Along with Paul Gowland, Herdman and Ian Forbes they took Ornithology to Birdland and beyond.

Johnny "Blue Hat Black Saxophone" Davis joined the party for Moanin' with Matt Mullen on bass.

(Blue Hat plays a duo gig with Pete Gilligan here on Saturday night).

Wayne Shorter's Footprints had super solos all round and it was with much reluctance that I left to catch the 10.57 Metro.

Take That had been playing the Arena which meant it was standing room only on the train and, hopefully, some pre-concert spin-off at The Globe.

Next Jam is June 2.

Lance.