Jazz Café Jam Session - April 5

(Review by Lance)

Another exciting, musically exhilarating, jam session at the Jazz Café with a few surprises along the way. The presence of Deon Krishnam on 5 string bass guitar made for a funkier approach than normal helped along by Gilligan's keyboard forays and Morgan's drums. Krishnam is a formidable player with some amazing solos that exploited the chordal possibilities of the extra string. This after just completing the 'Coast to Coast Walk - no wonder he chose to play sitting down!

These weren't the only bass guitar heroics. Later on, John Pope gave Krishnam a deserved spell and also set a few benchmarks of his own. Paul Gowland did likewise on alto.

Johnny 'Blue Hat' became Johnny 'Black Hat' and blew some funky tenor in tandem with David Gray who played colourful, and I use the word advisedly, trombone (see photo).

Falcioni, fresh from his successful Jazz Coop gig at The Globe on Saturday, fluctuated ' twixt piano and keyboard whilst Krishnam proved his versatility by grabbing the mic for a knockout vocal on Spain! The same number had Morgan hand-drumming very effectively.

Alfonso had a blast on Someday my Prince Will Come with Kalanek on drums and Gowland joined him on St. Thomas.

Michael Lamb and yet another bass guitarist, Andrew Patterson took centre stage but, sadly, my chariot awaited and it was to the strains of Joyspring that I left.

It had indeed been a Spring evening full of joy.
Photos.

Lance.
Pete Gilligan (pno/keys); Deon Krishnam (bs gtr/vcl); Russ Morgan (dms) + Paul Gowland (alt); Johnny 'Black Hat' Davis (ten); David Gray (tmb); Jordan Alfonso (alt); John Pope (bs gtr); Francesco Falcioni (pno); Nick Kalanek (dms); Michael Lamb (tpt); Andrew Patterson bs gtr.