Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (bass); Russ Morgan (drums) + Gary Brown (bass guitar); Brenda Sokell (vocal); Paul Gowland (soprano); John Pope (bass); Matt Mackellar (drums); Don Forbes (trumpet).
(Review by Lance).
The last Jam at The Caff of 2016 had Alan Law steering the ship in the absence of Admiral Gilligan who's currently cruising in the Antipodes. Law, an admirable pianist himself, avoided any passing icebergs as he took the trio through There is no Greater Love, Close Your Eyes and It Could Happen to You.
First of the stowaways was Gar(r)y Brown on bass guitar who gave us Blue Bossa and Autumn Leaves. He claimed to be a newcomer to jazz - it didn't show!
Next on deck was Brenda Sokell and Paul Gowland - this time round on soprano. Besame Mucho, complete with Portuguese lyrics, was possibly pitched marginally high for our singer to fully do it justice. However, Like Someone in Love was spot on and showed Brenda off to her best advantage.
Time for Paul Gowland to take centre stage and he took full advantage with a three-day long introductory phrase to My Favourite Things - John Coltrane Lives!
Intermission time.
Some changes to the crew.
John Pope and Matt Mackellar joined Captain Law for Beautiful Love. Don Forbes sailed through some Rhythm Changes on a Charlie Parker number and he and First Mate Gowland blew Lulu's Back in Town.
John Pope played the bass intro to All Blues, Forbes recreated the Miles' solo on same before David Gray stripped the paint off the deck with a blistering 'bone blast.
As I disembarked, the strains of There Will Never be Another You drifted onto Pink Lane and I headed for the refurbished (almost) Central Station.
Blimey! Paul Grainger in something other than black, very racey !!
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