Jazz Café Jam Session - Dec. 1

Pete Gilligan (pno); Paul Grainger (bs); Russ Morgan (dms) + Bradley Johnston (gtr); Michael Lamb (tpt); Eric Stutt (dms); Rob Bates (dms); Alec Saxon (alt); George Anyfantis (pno); Paul Gowland (alt); Duncan Walker (ten).

(Review by Lance).

The city is enshrouded with smoke, the aftermath of a massive blaze nearby, earlier in the day. It's also smokin', in jazz terminology, inside the Jazz Café.

The trio opens with Scarborough Fair and the parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme is surely burnt to a cinder! Someday My Prince Will Come; Stella by Starlight (impressive drum solo using brushes, hands and elbows!) and On the Sunny Side of the Street (spot on bass solo) follows and the room begins to fill and why shouldn't it?

Bradley Johnston takes to the stage as does the trumpet playing leader of the Strictly Smokin' Big Band, Michael Lamb. Eric Stutt, who just happens to have sticks and cymbals at the ready, adjusts the kit and they take flight on There is no Greater Love. Doxy and then Bernie's Tune. This is the moment where it all ignites! Trumpet, guitar, piano, bass, drums light the blue touchpaper and it's game well and truly on!

Rob Bates moves on to the kit and Alec Saxon wields the alto. Wayne Shorter's Footprints the victim.

Cantaloupe Island features some yackety saxing from Saxon.

George Anyfantis plays All of Me and Bradley counters with All the Things You Are.

And so the night unfolds...

Paul Gowland blows Au Privave and, naturally, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes. Duncan Walker, last seen wearing a soprano sax reappears in tenor garb. What is This Thing Called Love? and Four takes things up to my Metro departure time which is a shame as Gowland's about to return to the fray but my carriage is nigh so I miss what may well have been the number of the night!

The jam session returns on December 15 whilst on December 8 it's the long awaited return of the DB Project.

Photos.

Lance