Mark Williams (guitar), Paul Grainger (double bass)
& Paul Wight (drums) + Bradley Johnston (guitar), Paul Gowland (alto), Duncan
Walker (tenor), Michael Lamb (trumpet), George Anyfantis (piano) & Ian
Forbes (drums)
(Review by Russell)
It had the makings of a quiet night. The house trio
opened with a few tunes, Mr Williams in for Mr Gilligan. There is no Greater Love the pick of the early numbers. Punters
were thin on the ground. Things could only get better. That said, the jazz was
top drawer.
Jam session regular Bradley Johnston, deserving of
‘associate’ membership of the house band, joined the trio to play Stella by Starlight. Great solo from BJ,
sensitive brush work form Paul Wight. Falling
Grace heard the two six-stringers complimenting one another. Mr Ian Forbes,
one the great modern jazz drummers, arrived. Southpaw Wight offered to sit out
and whilst Forbes turned the kit around Williams and Johnston played some jazz
guitar. In a ‘don’t mind me’ quip Forbes said: Carry on duo-ing, I promise not to laugh.
The duo played All
the Things You Are. Fabulous. They should play a duo gig at the Caff.
Mr Gowland, toting his alto, joined the party to play There Will Never Be Another You. A false
start to Here’s That Rainy Day belied
the wonderful second take. A seated BJ in Joe Pass mode made a bid for solo of
the evening. In walked Strictly Smokin’ Michael Lamb. Beautiful Love was the call and it was Lamb who took it on. A good
trumpet player on a jam session makes all the difference. BJ chipped in with
another polished solo as George Anyfantis rattled a handful of the 88s. Former
Durham University Big Band saxophonist Duncan Walker called in with his tenor
to play All of Me and Autumn Leaves.
Audience numbers picked up. A party of first time
visitors to Pink Lane knew they were listening to some seriously good stuff
and, in time honoured fashion, the boys in the band left the best ‘til last.
Horace Silver’s Nutville taken at a
punishing pace – Messrs Grainger and Wight working like Trojans – encouraged
Williams to tear it up, but that was nothing in comparison to the set closer. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy featured the usual
round of solos with Mark Williams last to pick up the baton. Sco’s Piety Street
groove sent the Irishman into overdrive. Audience and musicians alike could do
no more than smile as the guitarist from the Emerald Isle went into orbit.
Stunning. It was a good night at the Jazz Café after all.
Russell.
No comments :
Post a Comment