(Review by Russell)
A bumper BABMUS
session. Sage Gateshead students’ regular gig
at the Jazz Café on Pink Lane
took on an extra dimension with the presence of tutors in assessment mode. It’s
that time of year… students getting the beers in, partying…sorry, studying late
into the night, burning the midnight oil, future careers at the forefront of their
minds. The upstairs room comfortably full, Paul Edis handed an unsuspecting
Thomas Dixon MC duties for the evening. Saxophonist Dixon thanked Dr Edis for putting him on the
spot…a sink or swim moment!
BA and BMus
students gathered in the upstairs room on Pink Lane, the place buzzing with a sense
of anticipation. The evening would comprise a series of quick fire small group
performances (tutors making notes on laptops…A+, D-, or perhaps they were
shopping lists…a pound of carrots, cereal, etc), culminating in a BABMUS big band finale.
Dixon
introduced his fellow students as they took to the stage. On this occasion your
BSH reviewer determined name checks were unnecessary (with a quartet the
exception, of which, more later), the examinees were in the spotlight, pressure
enough! Some performers didn’t have a collective name. A second’s thought, and a new name devised for
the occasion would suffice. Jazz Hands, Time Wasters, Blue Strap and Radgie
Little Gangsters, on the spot monikers! Tunes ranging from I Got Rhythm and Feeling Good
to All Blues and Blue Boss. The latter isn’t a typo, Blue Bossa became Blue Boss. From the Gershwins and Kanye West to the familiar Miles
and equally familiar Bruno Mars (for those of the Millennial generation), a
composers’ who’s who?
The examiners listened
to vocalists, brass and reeds, pianists, guitarists, bass players, drummers,
all manner of instrumentalists. Supported by a cheering on-side audience, all
acquitted themselves well. Some of the examinees have sat in at the Jazz Café’s
high octane jam session (first and third Tuesdays) and lived to tell the tale.
More than that, some of those sitters-in have come on in leaps and bounds. All
students, any instrument, are encouraged to turn up (8:00pm) and give it a go.
Bearpark is a Sage
Gateshead student quartet developing apace. Pianist (and organist) Bearpark,
that’s Tom Bearpark, together with Thomas Dixon (that’s MC Tom Dixon)
reeds, bassist Stephen Wall and drummer Adam Watson are leading the way at the regular BABMUS session at
the Jazz Café. Now taking on Bill Evans, Wayne Shorter and the challenge of
modal jazz, this quartet is not too far away from taking to the road, gigging
as a working unit. If they’ve got anything like a full pad (ie two forty five
minutes’ worth of material) these guys should be knocking on the Facebook doors
of local promoters (Darlington, Durham, Hexham
and Newcastle
for starters).
To conclude an
enjoyable evening the BABMUS Big Band assembled on stage for a good old blow
out. Dr Edis, done with laptop duties, grabbed his alto sax to take his place
in the line-up. Edis’ old Splinter Group chart For Bill got an airing in between some swinging, hard blowing
ensemble work. Check out the next BABMUS session, but before then, make a point
of getting along to the Caff on Tuesday (May 16) for the next installment of
the always interesting jam session. Downbeat at eight, seats at a premium, it’s
the greatest free show in town.
Russell.
4 comments :
Go Lucy Playle!
Ooh thanks Emma I didn't even know XD yayayaya thank you. ����������������������
Hope it went well and you enjoyed it!�� x
��������Yes it went well thank you ����������
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