Jazz Café Jam Session - Oct. 19

(Review by Lance).

18 and counting! Last night was one of those nights when everybody and their grandmother were there. On stage the age range went from 13 to infinity and they came from Norway and America as well as Durham, Sunderland and points west.

I Thought About You and Someday My Prince Will Come by the house trio set the ball rolling. They were on fire from bar one and it served as an appetising taster for tonight's Cherry Tree gig by Peter, Paul and Steve Glendinning (guitar).

From now on, with a few exceptions, it was New Faces - some barely reached puberty!

Ben Dovinson blew Misty. Nervous at first but, by his next number, was it Blue Bossa? he'd gained confidence and justified the applause given.

From Norway came Arvid Nordhus, a bluesman playing harmonica and shouting Summertime like as though he was from the Mississippi delta. Bradley on guitar for this one.

Next it was Stu Finden on double bass, Paul Gowland, alto, Fiona Finden, voice and Dylan Thompson on drums.

Thompson played with a drive that belied his 13 years - this guy will go far!

And so the night rolled on. Dylan's brother Alex - all of 15 - played alto, 14 year old Nathan Lawson was on guitar. All three had been heard by Russell busking outside Fenwick's and responded to his invitation to jam bringing, seemingly, a bus load of supporters.

Matt Jacobs took over the piano stool and gave us an idea of what to expect on Friday night at Pizza Express, Dean St., Newcastle where the Matt Jacobs Trio open up a monthly jazz gig (8pm). Rob Bates played drums as did Nick Kalenak. Nick majored in the USA and is going on to Leeds to do a master's degree. Former hit man of the Durham University Big Band Duncan Walker played soprano as did Fiona and the evening drew to a close with Steve and Joel Brown on bass and piano respectively.

What a night and what a lot of talent there is around these days!
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwVDkaLEBSw 

Photos.

Lance.

Peter Gilligan (pno); Paul Grainger (bs); Russ Morgan (dms) + Ben Dovinson (tmb); Bradley Johnston (gtr); Arvid Nordhus (hca/vcl);  Stu Finden (bs); Fiona Finden (vcl/sop); Dylan Thompson (dms); Rob Bates (dms); Matt Jacobs (pno); Nathan Lawson (gtr); Alex Thompson (alt); Duncan Walker (sop); Nick Kalenak (dms); Paul Gowland (alt); Joel Brown (pno); Steve Brown (bs).