Jazz Café Jam Session. July 19

Peter Gilligan (pno); Paul Grainger (bs); Abbie Finn (dms) + Johnny 'Blue Hat' Davis (ten); Joel Brown (pno); Claire Kelly (vcl); Paul Gowland (sop); Omad Ramik (dms); Minnie Fraser (vcl); ? (pno/vcl); I - Sister (Lisa/Andrea Harrison/Penny/Jerry).

(Review by Lance).

 No shortages of surprises at The Caff's fortnightly jam session which is, of course, how it should be with a good jam and this one's as good as they come!

Outside, it had been the hottest day of the year whilst inside, an open door, an electric fan and some cool beers coupled with the cool sounds on stage ensured we were in for an enjoyable air-conditioned ride.

On drums, 20 year old sensation,Abbie Finn. After a couple of weeks sitting in, Abbie played the session as a fully-fledged member of the team. That she was following in the foot pedals of Russ Morgan, Paul Wight and Ian Forbes didn't faze her and the thought crossed my mind that if she plays like this at 20, look out world when she's 21!

Not that Abbie was the only young person swinging. Joel Brown returned after some weeks absence. Presumably, this was due to school, woodshedding or to enable his beard to grow to its present length.

Prior to Joel sitting in there was a mini set by the all-women quartet I - Sister. Fronted by singer Andrea Harrison  and backed by Lisa on guitar and Penny and Jerry on bass and drums - or vice versa - I - Sister gave a soulful performance that encompassed On the Sunny Side of the Street, Stevie Wonder's Another Song, The Sweetest Rose, written by Lisa and, after demands for more, You Can Look. Andrea, in a previous incarnation, was known as Hannah Jones and fondly remembered from gigs at King's Hall, Newcastle, and Corner House, Heaton, circa 2004.

I - Sister, remember the name.

'Blue Hat' joined the house band for Mercy! Mercy! Mercy! followed by a trio set led by the aforementioned Joel. With a 16-year-old and a 20-year-old on the stand, Paul Grainger, whose birthday it is today (July 20) has probably had more birthdays than the pair of them combined!

Autumn Leaves; Someday my Prince Will Come and It Could Happen to You were the test pieces and all passed with flying colours.

Claire Kelly seems to commute between Thailand and Newcastle as frequently as Colin Aitchison does from Hong Kong. Claire's ever maturing voice did justice to This Masquerade, a Carmen McRae number, Tiptoe Gently and West Coast Blues. Gilligan was back on piano - he really is on fire these days - Grainger, Abbie and 'Blue Hat' kicked in to give Claire the best backing she'll get this side of Bangkok.

Paul Gowland showed with soprano for I'll Remember April demonstrating once again his versatility spurred on by the dynamo behind the kit. Summertime - seasonal excuse I suppose - had an awesome cadenza at the end that fully justified the choice of tune! So long was the cadenza that it was little surprise that the next number was Autumn in New York!

Another visitor, Omad Ramik took over on drums and it was good to see him back in town again.

A pianist/singer whose name I didn't get played a couple then Minnie sent me home with The Very Thought of You and God Bless the Child (and the 27 bus).
Photos.

Lance.