(Review by Lance).
And so the Christmas party season rolls on. Today it was the turn of the Crescent Club at Cullercoats to deal out the delicious delicacies. Sausage rolls, nibbles on sticks, open sandwiches, some unidentified objects - the mystery adding to the sense of adventure without detracting from the taste - and, if this wasn't enough, there was also real ale at £2 a pint and a raffle with 15 prizes.
Oh yes, there was music too!
Jazz!
In the afternoon!
Shangri-la.
JITA have held down the Monday lunchtime slot here for quite a number of years, and, despite the aging audience, the numbers don't appear to have dropped.
Derek Fleck, when he wasn't sleeping, blew some great mainstream tenor and clarinet. It's Only a Paper Moon and Wabash Blues being a couple of early gems. Miles Watson got into the spirit of things with Jingle Bells.
Ollie sang Green Door and the dancers took to the floor. Jazz me Blues from Derek before John Broddle gave out with Winter Wonderland and Lazy River. The set finished with more Ollie on Route 66 and The More I See You.
Raffle time - with 15 prizes, surely I couldn't lose?
I lost!
Friends old and new to catch up with. Gordon Solomon, former trombonist and leader of the River City Jazzmen being in the former category whilst in the latter, I met Sheila, wife of the late saxophone player Stan Slate. Stan played pro in many big bands during the 'Archer St. years'. Anyone recall him?
The second set opened with Teresa singing That Old Feeling, Mean to Me and I've Got a Pocketful of Dreams. Teresa, I swear, sounds even better as she, how can I put this?, gets less younger - and not an ipod or lyric sheet in sight!
An almighty sousaphone had been, like the Sword of Damocles, ominously lurking at the side of the stage throughout the afternoon. Now it sprung into action, curled around John Hallam's body like an overfed boa constrictor, aided and abetted by Chester the piano man who'd become Chester the trombone man and Miles, now wearing a bowler hat and singing Dinah.
Jollity prevailed.
John Broddle threw himself back into the fray for I'll See You in my Dreams (a bit early at 3pm - except for Derek!) including, the verse! I think this must have been the first time I'd heard anyone sing the verse - Bravo John. There'll be Some Changes Made had a "One more one time" coda squared!
Then it was metro time. As I left John was singing Let's Dance and several people were!
Very enjoyable.
Lance.
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