Gerry Richardson’s Big Idea @ The Jazz Café. Feb 2

(Review by Russell/photo courtesy of Mike Tilley)

Stone Church. The Big Idea’s set list opener, Gerry Richardson’s brooding Hammond, then the explosive, dissipating horns. First thoughts? Gig of the year! The Big Idea is, without question, one of the cast iron, nailed-on bands. Blues for Big Red, then African Sunset (Richardson’s self-deprecating observation: Our big hit). The nine-piece hit the ground running, all the horns killing.

Big Jazz Club in the Sky – when you’ve heard it once you can join in with the lyrics – a list of the jazz greats, a winning tune. The Turnaround Shuffle (recent recruit to the drum chair Adam Sinclair on the money), Lady Day and John Coltrane (one of Richardson’s best vocals), the skanking Ska Odyssey (Big Red himself, Rod Sinclair on top form, as he was all night), and a new one in the pad, a Clarence Wheeler number, blistering it was. It will be in the set list next time – be there to hear it.

Several audience members were hearing the band for the first time. At the interval, all said they were mucho impressed…they’ve got ears!

Cannonball Adderley opened the second set, Song of the Ferris, a solo flute feature for a certain Sue Ferris took it down a notch, but not for long. Drummer Adam Sinclair (living proof that the drum machine should be rendered obsolete) gave what amounted to a drum ‘n’ bass masterclass on Another Dark One, then, the Big Idea’s party piece – All About McGriff. Richardson suggested this was the ‘jazz’ number of the evening. Rip-roaring, a Hammond jazz tear-up. Gig of the year?

All aboard for the finale. A nod to Richard Tee, Richardson invited all present to Take the Tee Train. One helluva exhilarating ride. Cue applause, encore won, let’s go out on Night                               

Train. On leaving the Jazz Café one punter, effusive in praise said: That was expletive deleted ridiculous!

Russell.

More photos.

Gerry Richardson (Hammond B3 & vocals), Garry Linsley (alto saxophone), Stuart Johnson (tenor & soprano saxophones), Sue Ferris (tenor & baritone saxophones, flute), Dave Hignett (trumpet & flugelhorn), Mark Webb (trumpet), David Gray (trombone), Rod Sinclair (guitar) & Adam Sinclair (drums)