Shaune Eland
(trumpet), Alan Thompson (tenor saxophone), Steve McGarvie (keyboards &
soprano saxophone), Alan Smith (bass) & Stephen Fletcher (drums) + Beth
Roberts (alto saxophone) & Ted Pearce (keyboards)
(Review by Russell)
Blues for Duane, One Mint Julep, Bernie’s Tune, three gems for starters. The Jazztones returned to
play another set at the Quakerhouse, the de facto HQ of the long-running
Darlington Jazz Club. The Mechanics’ Yard pub hosts regular gigs – blues, rock,
and, twice a month, jazz. A six o’clock start attracts listeners and performers
across the age spectrum – teenagers to octogenarians. An illustration of this
early evening gig policy presented an established small group (the Jazztones) a
been-there-done-that musician invited to sit in (pianist Mr Ted Pearce), and
star of the future, Ms Beth Roberts playing alto saxophone.
Black Orpheus and Comin’ Home Baby rounded off a first set
of relaxed jazz. Trumpeter Shaune Eland and Alan Thompson (tenor saxophone)
exchanged leisurely solos supported by pianist and occasional soprano
saxophonist Steve McGarvie, depping bassist Alan Smith, and award winning
drummer Stephen Fletcher. The set highlight (hopefully the guys in the band
won’t take offence!) featured Beth Roberts on Tadd Dameron’s Lady Bird. Standing her ground between
the frontline duo of Eland and Thompson, the young altoist continues to find
something in the tune, finding her way around it with increasing confidence.
Roberts departed to resume door duties and organise the all important raffle!
The Jazztones’
second set spanned the generations – the quintet firing on Lee Morgan’s Tom Cat, veteran Pearce joining the band
on Out of Nowhere (McGarvie on
soprano), and the return of Beth Roberts to play Blue Bossa (Eland content to leave the stage to the young altoist).
Darlington Jazz Club’s year round sessions present numerous regional musicians and
occasional out-of-towners. A procession of emerging musicians gigged at the
Quakerhouse (and other venues) including Square One guitarist Joe Williamson,
Will Howard, reeds, Leeds College of Music undergraduate drummer Abbie Finn
(heard recently at the Quakerhouse), and the Bakers (Amy, the Jazztones’
regular bass player and brother Alex, reeds). To close the Jazztones’ set Beth
Roberts rejoined the band to play Freddie Hubbard’s Red Clay. Our altoist took a first solo, laying down a marker.
Eland, Thompson and co did their best to keep up. The next Darlington Jazz Club
gig is a young musicians’ jam night at the Quakerhouse on Sunday 28 May. Six
o’clock start, recommended.
Russell.
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