Jazz Café Jam - March 1.

(Review by Lance)

Like the custodians of the law, our jazz musicians seem to get younger - and better! Tonight saw the emerged and the emerging talents of Bradley, Matt, Joel, Jordan, Charlie Philp - making his Jazz Café debut - and Nick Kalanek all providing proof that the future is in good hands.

However, it's Gilligan, Grainger and Rob Walker who set the pace with A Beautiful Friendship and Emily as well as a couple I didn't recognise. Follow that, was the silent thought that pervaded.

Step up Bradley. Despite his youth, he now seems to have been around forever and the maturity of his playing said likewise. Things Ain't What They Used To Be, the good old Johnny Hodges blues, settled into a nice groove before a Bradley original - Waltz For Jackie. Some conjecture as to who the mysterious Jackie was. Someone suggested Jackie Milburn but, as the footballer died before Bradley was born it's unlikely - particularly as Bradley's from Sunderland!

Matt MacKellar replaced Walker, Gilligan retired, Grainger remained, the trio revitalised All the Things You Are and Stella by Starlight - and the audience reacted [favourably].

Enter Brown junior and Brown senior for Caravan, Miss Jones and Dolphin Dance. Young Brown, who must be all of 16 by now seems to be moving from his earlier Hines, Wilson influences to a more Monkish, Jarrett approach.  Pops on bass not only plays the notes but enacts them with facial expressions and bodily movement. Never a dull moment!

By now the room was, pardon the pun, jam-packed as instruments were being unpacked. Jordan Alfonso blew some fine bebop alto, Fransesco Falconi played No More Blues Charlie Philp added guitar to the mix and Paul Gowland swung in on So What? (I think).
The microphone was plugged in and Lindsay Hannon was switched on for That Old Feeling with David Gray sliding in on Cheek to Cheek. Nick Kalanek played drums, Falconi returned to the upright and the strains of Beautiful Love drifted down Pink Lane as I reluctantly left. Time, tide and the 27 bus wait for no man.
Photos.
Lance.    
Pete Gilligan (pno); Paul Grainger (bs); Rob Walker (dms) + Bradley Johnston (gtr); Matt MacKellar (dms); Joel Brown (pno); Steve Brown (bs); Jordan Alfonso (alt); Francesco Falconi (pno); Paul Gowland (alt); Charlie Philp (gtr); David Gray (tmb); Lindsay Hannon (vcl); Nick Kalanek (dms).