House of the Black Gardenia @ The Globe. September 27

Bobbi Charleston (washboard & vocals), Richard Burns (trumpet), David Gray (trombone), Wayne Keith (clarinet, tenor saxophone & flute), Ben Imrye (piano), Jack Foster (banjo & guitar), Neil Hopper (double bass & sousaphone) & Kit Haigh (drums) + Katja Roberts (violin)

(Review by Russell)

September’s ‘vintage jazz’ night at the Globe presented something markedly different to the norm…the musicians on the bandstand were in their twenties with maybe one or two just the wrong side of thirty. No, your correspondent wasn’t under the influence, ne’er a drop. The House of the Black Gardenia is a band of young, talented musicians playing a music created some sixty or seventy years before anyone of them were born. Indeed few, if any, of their parents would have been born!

Washboard was the focal point of the evening (Are you sure you weren’t p*****? Ed). A qualification is required – the fabulous Bobbi Charleston was the focal point. This young lady has star appeal, a great voice, a presence. Baby Don’t Tear My Clothes, one of many vocal numbers during the evening, illustrated Charleston’s spot-on delivery, as did Viper Mad, and how the girl knew about Jelly Roll is anyone’s guess! Viper Mad evoked an era of the speakeasy, flappers and floozies. Ms Charleston and the boys in the band made the effort by dressing for the occasion, as did the audience – a predominately young audience dancing to each and every tune. All had their dancing shoes on – quite literally. Boy, they could dance! Making them take to the floor was the music (vipers David Gray trombone – slide and valve! and reeds man Wayne Keith).

Slow Drag Blues featured the impressive Richard Burns (trumpet) and pianist Ben Imrye. Great feel to it, the band on the money. The boys in the engine room didn’t flag all night; Jack Foster (guitar and banjo), Neil Hopper (double bass and sousaphone) and Kit Haigh (drums) were the business. The original, darker version of Why Don’t You Do Right? was sleazily slow (Keith, clarinet). All the while the dancers shimmied and Bobbi Charleston opined: I Wish I Could Shimmie Like My Sister Kate. Kate must be one hell of a mover! Oh, speaking of movers…Katja Roberts joined the band for one number playing violin. A fine player, but just the one tune – she spent the rest of the night on the dance floor. What a fabulous dancer! Damn these two left feet!

This Newcastle Jazz Co-op gig at the Globe ticked all the boxes – a friendly crowd, great atmosphere, superb dancers and a fabulous band. Next month’s vintage session – Sunday 27 October – features Dave Rae’s Levee Ramblers. Doors at seven, band on before eight. Five pounds, bargain.

Russell.