Jazz Café Jam Tuesday Sept. 6

(Review by Lance)

The Jazz Café in Newcastle's Pink Lane, tucked away just out of sight of the Central Station, is known worldwide. Back in the days of the late Keith Crombie it was the place to be if you'd been headlining at the City Hall or the Theatre Royal. Harry Connick Jr, Wynton Marsalis and various thespians from the RSC were just some who dropped by  after the last curtain call and the late Keith basked in their patronage just as they expressed their delight at finding somewhere different. The forthcoming film - The Geordie Jazzman - by independent filmmaker Abi Lewis will bring back memories of those glorious days that many thought would never return to the now, sanitised, refurbished Caff.
They were wrong! The old days were here again when the American band, the Wayfaring Souls, who are in town backing Eric Burdon at the City Hall tonight showed up and played a whole lotta rockin' blues!
Russell, who stayed on after I'd left, will tell us more about their later blast but, lemme tell ya, what I heard was plenty good enough for me! I'd like to think that Crombie was looking down and nodding approvingly whilst, at the same time, saying, "Where the .... is Burdon? He never could turn up on time!
The Wayward Souls: Davey Allen (pno/vcl); Johnzo West (gtr); Ruben Salinas (ten); Evan Mackey (tmb); Justin Andres (bs gtr); Dustin Koester (dms).
Earlier,
Pete Gilligan (pno); John Pope (bs); Russ Morgan (dms) + Ray Johnson (flug); Vince Webb (pno); Matt Mackellar (dms); Paul Gowland (alt); Thomas Dixon (alt); Omid Ramak (dms); Adam Sams (gtr); Austin Cherry (bs) Ngoni ? (vcl) and an unnamed guitarist  also had their moments but tonight belonged to the visitors although, it has to be said that, on a man to man basis, our guys held their own.
But, music isn't an Olympic sport and, I'm sure, a good time was had by all.
Lance.
Photos.