(Review by Russell/photos courtesy of Emma Fisk)
Blaydon Jazz Club hosted the debut gig of Emma Fisk’s new Hot Club outfit. Several musicians on the north-east jazz scene turned out for the occasion, adding a few to the Black Bull’s regular numbers. Friends catching up, musicians making connections, an alive and kicking jazz club, the future looks bright!
Overlooking the Tyne, the Black Bull on Bridge Street became a Hot Club of the North for one night only. Django and Stephane the inspiration, violinist Fisk’s new quartet is destined for stardom, or, at the very least, a full diary of engagements up and down the land. Coquette, Charleston, I’m Confessin’ – the opener a classic, Charleston, a surprise, I’m Confessin’, magical with Fisk’s virtuosic intro.
Crazy Rhythm featured James ‘Django’ Birkett and introduced the depping Paul Baxter (contrabass). Baxter, more often heard in contemporary jazz circles, slotted in with ease, setting a benchmark for his long term successor. Bandleader Fisk took time to place the tunes in context; the 11-bar (Django’s prerogative) blues Viper’s Dream, rhythm master Dave Harris (a founding member of Djangology) on It Had to be You (Harris at pains to point out the difference between ‘noodling’ and ‘waffling’) and If You Only Knew How Much I Love You, heard the guitarist in fine form. Django Birkett followed up with great playing of his own on Exactly like You and the ensemble brought the first set to a close with a rousing Sweet Georgia Brown.
Interval conversation revolved around the forthcoming Gateshead Jazz Festival but not before a straw poll gave a unanimous thumbs up to the first set. World class jazz at the Black Bull, Blaydon. You’re thinking: Yeah, right. A pub in the Borough of Gateshead can’t possibly be home to such talent. It was and it is. Next month’s session will be just as good, but more of that later.
Historic recording sessions and arrangements peppered Fisk’s informative introductions. Birkett’s take on the 1936 gem Oriental Shuffle a delight, Minor Swing (Fisk suggesting they had to play it!) with staggering solos from Fisk and Birkett and the 1938 recording of Daphne revisited. Great musicians make it look easy. Nuages, then Swing 39 were as good as it gets. And there was more…Limehouse Blues and the showstopper Dark Eyes to end a marvellous evening. Fisk’s quartet clearly enjoyed working together and, for a first gig, things couldn’t have gone much better. Immaculate, note perfect violin playing, the astonishing guitar playing of Dr Birkett, Harris the rhythm king and a dream dep bass player, Emma Fisk’s Hot Club du Nord is up and running. Hot Club de Black Bull, Hot Club de France, Vive le jazz!
More world class jazz next month – May 15 – with the Noel Dennis-Paul Edis Quartet.
Russell.
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