Mark Toomey (alto saxophone), Jeremy McMurray (piano),
Peter Ayton (bass & vocals) & Paul Smith (drums).
(Review by Russell)
Last heard leading the late-night jam session at last
month’s Darlington Jazz Festival, alto saxophonist Mark Toomey made the journey
up the A19 to play a gig at the Black Bull in Blaydon. Two sets featuring the
music of Charlie Parker attracted the regulars to Blaydon Jazz Club’s monthly
session. The region’s sax players were conspicuous by their absence - they
missed a treat.
Parker disciple Mark Toomey likes nothing better than
to play the music of the genius we know as ‘Yardbird’. Tunes, interspersed with
a potted history of the ill-fated saxophonist, broadly in chronological order,
made for an informative and entertaining presentation. An up tempo start with Cherokee almost went pear-shaped as
Peter Ayton’s bass amp played up. As jacks and inputs were checked over,
pianist Jeremy McMurray’s left hand worked overtime. Instrument and amp
restored to rude health, Ayton delved way back to Parker’s days with Jay
McShann singing Hootie Blues – great
stuff!
Dizzy’s Groovin’
High, All the Things You Are…the
realisation that every number was in
the ‘classic’ category. Sit back and enjoy! Dial and Savoy sides (the often
imperfect sides – lo-fi quality – somehow add to the legendary status accorded
Parker) caught Toomey’s ear, some
transcribed by the Teesside-based altoist, such is the man’s devotion. A Night in Tunisia fizzed along (drummer
Paul Smith’s rhythmic patterns spot-on) with the club’s former house pianist
Jeremy McMurray laying down one of several fully-formed solos.
Now’s the Time (more from McMurray), Loverman as a samba (Smith again ‘on it’ and Ayton soloing
effectively), the tunes flowed one after another. The test piece as Toomey rightly described it – Donna Lee – brought out the best in the quartet. Listening to Mark
Toomey is a damn good approximation of Parker on record – ‘uncanny’ is the
word. Out of Nowhere featured Smith’s
first-rate brushes and an inventive McMurray solo complete with a stride
pattern woven into the fabric of it. Parker’s
Mood with its aching intro just about brought the evening to a close save
for a brisk take on Love for Sale. A
good night at Blaydon. Next month’s session (a Blaydon Festival special on
Sunday, June 21) sees the return of the Sue Ferris Quintet. The diminutive
Ferris is an accomplished musician (tenor and baritone saxes, flute), well
respected on the local scene. Heard recently at the Great North Big Band Jazz
Festival, Ferris was in stupendous form. If she breezes into the Black Bull
firing on all cylinders it is sure to be a storming gig. Don’t miss it!
Russell.
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