James Harrison (piano); Anthony Ord (bass guitar); Tom Chapman (drums) +
David Gray (trombone on 2 numbers)
(Review by Ann Alex/Photo courtesy of Brian Ebatson).
Went to Newcastle to collect new shoes that I’d ordered and somehow ended up at this brilliant gig! Not sure how that happened, but no regrets, as mon amie Edith once said.
Smart dark suits and open-necked shirts (why should only women’s clothes be mentioned), James introduced the band over the opening music, which was exciting from the start, Strasbourg St Denis, very danceable rhythms, all equal partners in this band with the drummer doing well up there with a solo, and the tune ending in what sounded like the middle, to my inexperienced ears. There followed a complete contrast, the gentle swing of Our Love Is Here To Stay with smooth brushes on drums, and I could hardly stop myself singing, so the lads had a lucky escape there!
Obsession featured hand drumming and long runs on cymbals, and on St James Infirmary the piano was played low down, heavy strong blues, then up steps a trombone from the audience, playing what I’d call warm tones. After an entrancingly quiet piano solo for Pure Imagination, there was He Has Made Me Glad with a bass solo and a long ending on piano which kept the audience guessing when it would actually end, great fun. My Favourite Things was performed as per Harrison’s arrangement done in the West End no less, slow then fast, great stuff! (I hate this tune as much as Lance hates Summertime, but loved it today as a jazz number). Blue Bossa , solos for all, with the piano doing insistent riffs during the other solos, an effect I love, a swinging Cheek To Cheek then the finale, Caravan, all stops out, trombone as well, all soloed and piano and trombone did a cheeky call and response with 4’s (2’s?), setting each other up wonderfully. The explanatory programme notes were a bonus, the list of tunes especially useful to BSH. The last tune listed was Sister Sadie but she didn’t appear, so I look forward to hearing her the next time the band plays, as I want to be there.
The future of jazz is definitely safe AND exciting in their hands.
Ann Alex
2 comments :
As much as Lance hates Summertime... now that's saying something!
Everybody's got me wrong on this! I loved Summertime for the first zillion times I heard it then I began to cringe as each and everyone made it part of their repertoire. So James, how's about the next gig I catch you at you play My Favourite Things with the left hand and Summertime with the right hand? - Or vice versa!
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