Blue Jazz Sextet @ The Globe Jazz Bar, Newcastle – July 23

Karen Rann (soprano sax); Jeff Smith (tenor sax}; Keith Barrett (guitar); George Anyfantis (piano); Dave Parker (bass); Peter Ninnim (drums).

(Review by Steve T/photos by Debra M)

It would have been better if I could have written this up before what happened next, cos it now seems an awful lot has happened since.

It was a happy accident I was there at all, bluesman Lucky Peterson was at Sage Gateshead but not until 10.30 so a sextet at the Globe, HQ of the Jazz Coop, was a welcome stroke of luck. I arrived at 9.00 thinking I would get the first set and knowing I would have to leave around 10.00 only to be told it had started at 8.30.

Skylark, as I arrived, before Secret Love upped the tempo, some serious feedback causing some amusement among the band; and good to see musicians not taking themselves too seriously.

I counted twenty-eight in the room and maybe a few outside but somebody else counted thirty-five, so one of us (probably me) needs some maths revision. Whatever, the place was busy with people having a thoroughly good time and slightly more women than men, which is always a good thing since I'm afraid, we do take ourselves oh so seriously sometimes.

Karen Rann, nominal leader for the night, dedicated the next song to all mothers everywhere, but especially to her own who has just gone into a home due to dementia, earning sincere applause. 

Then either me or her (and probably me) had a moment as she introduced it as 'Jean' standing in for Alice in Wonderland  but I'm sure they played Some Day my Prince will Come without me noticing! It's from Sleeping Beauty - isn't it? Any pearls anyone?  

Karen introduced East of the Sun, identified by Peter Hemy, my neighbour on the barstools, as Sinatra with Tommy Dorsey and Everything Happens to me by Matt Dennis on the flipside of the 78. A little context from our elders helps enrich these nights and our lives.

Bubbly throughout, dancing away, her glasses on and off for sight reading, and totally comfortable doing the announcements, she encouraged everyone to fill their glasses during the interval as the band mingled with the audience, many clearly their friends and no bad thing either; some feet in the door who realise Jazz isn't inaccessible and stuffy. It's also strange when people don't know to applaud solos as those who do get frustrated and demonstrative, myself included.

Set Two opened with Scrapple from the Apple, a real toughie with solos on tenor, soprano, piano and bass, the pianist depping for the evening, bringing some great Monkisms before letting loose.

Time to go, but I wasn't going to leave during Blue Trane, starting with just soprano and piano, some uncomfortable harmonising between the saxes ‘til they got it together when it started kicking, the tenor player un-phased by the task, the understated guitar bursting from behind the piano with a fine solo, and it ended back where it began, with just soprano and piano.

I wished I could stay, wished I'd got there sooner, wished I could have a drink, but it was time to go. 

Steve T