Jo Harrop (vocals); Paul Edis (piano); Andy Champion (bass); Russ Morgan (drums)
(Review/photos by Brian Ebbatson)
Fresh from her August dates at Soho’s Pizza Express Jo Harrop’s next stop was to a packed audience of over 100 to open the Gala’s Autumn Lunchtime Jazz series. Clearly, Jo loves playing to North East audiences and they love her too, particularly the good people of her home village, Great Lumley, who ensured this gig was sold out well in advance – to the chagrin of many Gala Lunchtime regulars who couldn’t get tickets.
With a top quality trio in support Jo featured a range of numbers from her Peggy Lee and Billie Holiday “Great Torch Songs” Pizza Express programme, as well as a choice of favourite standards which enabled her to demonstrate the range and rich tones of her voice, as well as her skilful interpretation of ballads and swing on upbeat numbers.
Opening with Jimmy McHugh “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love”, she immediately had the audience with her. This was followed by Ellington’s “All Too Soon”, a Peggy Lee tribute with “Why Don’t You Do Right”, Cole Porter’s “Get Out of Town”, then Billie Holiday’s “Fine and Mellow”.
The band too were enjoying themselves with inventive support and enterprising solos from Paul Edis on keyboard, Andy Champion on bass and Russ Morgan on drums, magnificently complementing Jo’s singing and making for great ensemble playing.
Later numbers included “Just One of Those Things” as a tribute to Ella, the ballads “Besame Mucho” and “I Fall in Love too Easily”, then a favourite of mine, Kurt Weill’s “My Ship”, followed by a breakneck rendition of “Tea for Two” with a searing piano solo from Paul and explosive drums from Russ.
Finishing with Billy Taylor’s “I Wish I Knew How It Felt to be Free” she had the audience cheering and asking for more. As one of the audience said as she left “I don’t know how I stayed in my seat. I just wanted to get up and dance”. Not quite the staid response you’d expect of a Lunchtime Concert!
When Jo Harrop is next back on her home turf, get your tickets well in advance!
Brian Ebbatson.
Photos.
Footnote from Russell.
Footnote from Russell.
Next month’s lunchtime offering features Sue Ferris. The date for your diary is Friday 14 October. It’s a one o’clock start, admission £4.00. Sue Ferris, one of our finest woodwind players (baritone, tenor, flute) will be working with her regular quintet line-up featuring a well-known figure on the scene – Mr Graham Hardy, trumpet and flugelhorn. Tony Eales tells me he witnessed dozens of disappointed people being turned away at the Jo Harrop gig and Gala box office staff fielded numerous calls from those hoping – in vain – to book tickets. The best advice is to book now for Sue Ferris’ concert. Telephone 0300 0262 626.
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