Alan Glen's 80th Birthday @ The Globe - July 28

Alan Glen (pno); John Pope (bs); Paul Wight (dms).

(Review by Lance).

I think it was Joan Collins who, many years ago, said that 60 is the new 40. Conveniently, I think she was  60-year-old at the time. However, moving forward, last night at the Globe Alan Glen rearranged those numbers and now 80 is the new 40 - maybe even 20 or 30! Such is the man's timeless quality that age becomes irrelevant.

However, age was the reason why we were there, as if an excuse was needed! It was the pianist's 80th birthday bash (give or take a few days) and, as ever, he proved that he is still the undefeated champion with a knockout performance.
A tried and tested performance of gassers interspersed with a few originals that, somehow, he made it seem as though we were hearing them for the first time.

Stomping off with Solar followed by I Thought About You; I'll Close my Eyes; I  Should Care; Bye Bye Blackbird; Groovin' High; She Walks Into Mine (original) and Fast Forward (original) the first set flew past. Birthday boy was on the money and taking no prisoners. Nor were his compadres. John Pope and Paul Wight. Pope excelled throughout the set with his solo on Groovin' outstanding. Wight, as ever, driving, pushing, adding to the swing with creative 4's and a memorable solo on Fast Forward.

Time to recharge the glasses and look forward to the second set.

Autumn Leaves; Stella by Starlight; I Hear a Rhapsody; I Fall in Love Too Easily; But Not For Me; All Blues and a number dedicated to his former bass player, the late Ray Truscott.

Needless to say Happy Birthday was sung and, upon reflection, there could have been no better place to celebrate this great man's contribution to jazz than at the Globe. After all, it was at that other  Globe that another great man penned the words:

Age cannot wither her nor custom stale her infinite variety.

Substitute him/his for her and you have Alan Glen.

Lance.