Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe. February 15

(Review by Russell/photo from archive)

Take it to the Bridge. Dave Weisser’s weekly workshop session has long since become a Tyneside institution. The spoils are scant, participation is reward in itself. Proceedings at the Jazz Co-op’s Globe premises got underway more or less on time – there is a vintage poster in the archives advertising the start time as ‘8.00pm-ish’ – with an octet playing an invigorating All the Things You Are.

Up jumped Rachel Richman to make it a nonet and a quick change in the drum chair with the redoubtable Norman Redhead graciously insistent that Matthew Fairhurst should take his place and we were off again with Weisser taking the vocals on Dindi. The double alto horns – Jude Murphy and Rachel Richman – took on Michael Brecker’s Midnight Voyage with Messrs Weisser and Ray Johnson in support. The inevitable round of solos can make for a frenzied atmosphere and it was down to Richman to bring about a more relaxed vibe on perhaps the tune of the night – I Thought About You (Weisser muted, Murphy on flute).

The Jazz Co-op’s hand-pull (beer) wasn’t available. A bottle of Black Sheep a good alternative, the raffle won by the barman (stewards enquiry!), and here’s one for the stats geek…Phil, as ever, doing the door, and bassist Jonathan Proud share the same birthday. What are the odds in a gathering of fifteen? Someone suggested a chorus of Happy Birthday. J. Proud, not sighted since his Legohead days, was looking to play some jazz and it can be reported he has lost none of his considerable technique. Tuesday’s Jazz Café jam session may well be graced by J. Proud.

Love for Sale (JP’s solo, Weisser’s vocal), a Freddie Hubbard waltz (Ray Johnson doing the business, likewise new boy, guitarist Pete Bennett), Murphy, flute, on A Foggy Day, it turned out to be a canny session. Blue Monk (all on the money including Roy Stephenson, guitar and veteran pianist Barry Ascroft) a highlight, almost time to go, but not before the multi-talented Jude Murphy’s impromptu scatted chorus on All of Me and Footprints. The Take it to the Bridge session will be at the Jazz Co-op’s Railway Street HQ next week, as usual, at eight o’clock (ish). Before then, the Globe on Saturday (18th) is the place to be to hear the supercharged Strictly Smokin’ Big Band working in the company of trumpet superstar Bruce Adams. The band, Adams, Alice Grace…start queuing now!  

Russell.   

Dave Weisser (cornet & vocals), Ray Johnson (trumpet, flugelhorn & congas), Jude Murphy (alto saxophone, flute, shakers & vocals), Rachel Richman (alto saxophone), Roy Stephenson (guitar), Pete Bennett (guitar), Barry Ascroft (piano), Jonathan Proud (bass), Norman Redhead (drums) & Matthew Fairhurst (drums)