A Weekend in New York

(Report by John Taylor)

I flew Jet2 to Newark to stay for 4 nights with my Airbnb host trombonist Vera Kemper. Her basement pad was very nice, in a suburban part of Brooklyn only 4 subway stops from Coney Island. Arriving on 5th November (Thursday night) I was just in time to listen to her band rehearsal in the double garage behind her apartment. 3 trombones, 2 percussion, Guitar, Flute, Bass and Keyboard. Several neighbours dropped by to listen and I began to unwind.
Doing the tourist thing each day I enjoyed listening to Vera rehearse in her studio/study on the Friday night. Saturday night she drove me out to Babylon in Long Island for a gig with the Dangerous Big Band. The band got its name as it was formed by cops who would often turn up straight from work wearing their guns. The event was a charity dinner dance in the Methodist church hall to raise funds for a new church organ. Vera played bass trombone and overall the night  made me think of what a Strictly Smokin’ gig could be like in 10 years’ time. A very high standard

The highlight of my stay was a night out with Vera to the Ear Bar on Sunday night. It’s actually the James Brown House at 326 Spring Street. The band "The Ear Regulars" started out as 4 but as the night progressed became 6. This for me was the ultimate Mainstream band. All pros and a great atmosphere with many of the punters in their vintage get ups. A good meal and several pints of Brooklyn Beer rounded a miraculous whistle stop tour of the NY jazz scene. Flew back Monday night arriving Newcastle at 9am Tuesday. I thought I caught a glimpse of Graham Hardy on the plane. I hope he enjoyed his stay in NY as much as I did.

John T.