Stephen Wetherall (bs. gtr); Dan Butterworth (dms); Scotty Handy (keys); Ciaran Jasper (alt/ten); Esti Harrison (tpt); Adam Ashbridge (gtr). + Fabio Sousa (tmb).
(Review by Lance).
Student band and you've got 'Rent-a-Crowd'. Boy/girlfriends, course mates, coarse mates, parents, family etc. you've got the audience but, will they come back and, more importantly, will those with less filial/fraternal relationships return?
Admittedly a work in progress but the positive signs are there. An imaginative repertoire* which included originals, pieces by Grover Washington, Roy Hargreaves, Kenny Garrett, Herbie Hancock, and Justin Bieber coupled with a feel for the funky idiom that they work in, suggests that, with a tweak here and a tweak there, we're going to hear a lot more of them.
Leader Wetherall knows his way around the Fender Jazz (or was it a Precision?) and he soloed authoritatively.
Adam Ashbridge obviously has a pedigree in matters guitar. His solos blew everything away!
Ciaran Jasper floated 'twixt alto and tenor but I think it was her alto solo on the penultimate encore, Roy Hargreaves' St. Denis, that clinched it for me despite blowing slightly off mic.
Esti Harrison on trumpet didn't try to impress, instead, she played the heads and, when solos came up, worked within her range - something Muggsy Spanier, Miles Davis, and Chet Baker did in their formative years - welcome to the club Esti!
Dan Butterworth kicked seven shades when such a splash of colour was needed but also confined himself to fewer shades in the more delicate moments.
Pianist Scotty chorded impressively, his choreographed body movements indicating just how much he was enjoying himself. Surprised he didn't appear to take any actual solos
It was great to see such young musicians blowing so well and to have an appreciative audience.
Oh yes, I've omitted to mention Fabio Sousa!
I don't suppose there have been too many Portuguese trombone players in Newcastle over the years but, let me say that on the evidence of the two numbers he blew on, Fabio is the best Portuguese slide man I've ever heard (in Newcastle).
I invited Fabio to the Jazz Café Jam this coming Tuesday. In fact, I'd like to see les tout ensemble dropping by!
Photos.
Photos.
Lance.
*Cissy Strut; Mister Magic; Can't Feel my Face; Chameleon; 5:45; Noodle; Sing a Song of Song; How Deep is Your Love; Southwick; Sorry; Strasbourg St. Denis.
*Cissy Strut; Mister Magic; Can't Feel my Face; Chameleon; 5:45; Noodle; Sing a Song of Song; How Deep is Your Love; Southwick; Sorry; Strasbourg St. Denis.
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