Nicola Farnon
(double bass & vocals), Paul Edis (piano) & Russ Morgan (drums)
(Review by Russell/photos courtesy of Brian Ebbatson)
Good Friday. The
Gala Theatre. ‘House full’ signs. What’s new? Monthly lunchtime jazz sessions
at the Gala Theatre sell-out in advance, it’s been that way for several months.
Some people know a good thing when they hear it and book ahead. May, June, July
and August are booking now, so, don’t hesitate. Today’s concert sold out weeks
ago. Nicola Farnon arrived from her Sheffield base, said hello to Paul Edis and
Russ Morgan – they were meeting for the first time – and proceeded to bring the
house down.
Ms Farnon is
everything a performer should be; accomplished, communicative and effervescent.
A GASbook devotee, the Wiltshire born singing double bass player writes her own
material and gives it 100%, winning new fans wherever she goes. Today’s
programme – The trio will play a
selection of tunes from the following…- couldn’t have been bettered.
Meeting pianist Paul Edis and drummer Russ Morgan for the first time, Farnon
could be forgiven for wondering what was in store. Those in the know – Gala
regulars – knew that this gig would work and it did, big style! The Way You Look Tonight, On the Street Where You Live, tunes
demanding the utmost sensitivity, Ms Farnon could scarcely believe her ears –
Messrs Edis and Morgan were A listers! On a bright, if not sunny Friday
afternoon, Farnon sang Moonlight in
Vermont, told us about her Fever,
yearning to dance Cheek to Cheek.
One Note Samba – the one
with a million notes, all of them played in the right order – drew a huge round
of applause, as did all of the tunes in the one hour set. Farnon’s bass playing
is straight out of the ‘It don’t mean a thing’ bag, her expressive voice a
delight. Your reviewer expressed delight at Farnon’s inclusion of Perfect Loverly Day, the Wiltshire burr
evident in the composer’s ‘loverly’ lyric. A perfectly loverly day out in
Durham.
The Gala
lunchtime series continues next month with an appearance by the superb guitar
duo of Mark Williams and Joel Byrne-McCullough. Master guitarists, life-long
friends, Mark and Joel will play a selection of standards and an original
composition or two. The date: Friday 26 May, 1:00pm. Admission £5.00. Book now
or miss out. Telephone: 03000 266 600.
Russell.
This was precisely why the faithful turn up at the Gala every month. I've been trying to think of anybody I've ever heard do the GAS better.
ReplyDelete