Jazz Café Jam Session - July 4

(Review by Lance).

Harrison, Grainger and Walker kicked things off with Sister Sadie and I said, "Brother, it can't get any better than this!"

Maybe it did, maybe it didn't, whatever, the quality remained, but the quantity multiplied. After a Wonderful version of For Once in my Life the jammers began to emerge. First up was a fiddling friend from my music shop past life - Andy Lawrenson who felt his way around Nature Boy before launching into a stunning After You've Gone. Lawrenson and Harrison seemed to be on the same wavelength and the sparks flew.

Ben Helm joined the group for All of Me playing a nice chordal solo that brought the likes of Carl Cress and Dick McDonough to mind. The number culminated with a series of fours that became twos between Walker and Harrison.

Arthur Higgins was featured on Tenor Madness before giving way to Belinda Voshtina who invited us to Bésame Mucho then cooled us off with Água de Beber - Matthew Fairhurst drummed sympathetically continuing the tradition of having at least one Matthew behind the kit at these Tuesday [alternate] jams.

Paul Gowland, armed with Conn underslung alto, entered the fray and Dave McKeague took control of the drums. No relief bassists in tonight so Grainger soldiered on bravely. Here's That Rainy Day, a reference to the weather, the chosen test piece and all came through without the need of an umbrella.

More vocals, this time from Paul Skerritt. Skerritt and Harrison, who are regular musical compadres, were joined by 'Blue Hat' for Cheek to Cheek and Georgia on my Mind.

Caravan, I think, brought us up to the break - I think (It may have been earlier or later!)

One of the nice things about jam sessions is the surprises they throw up. Tonight was no exception when a young woman making her debut also made an impression with Beyond the Sea and At Last.

I hope she returns as it will be interesting to note her progress. The 'woman' in question was one Emily Ramsdale who's only 15 and this was her first ever public performance - a star in the making!

Julija Jaicenaite is fast becoming a regular at the Caff and she didn't disappoint with Misty and There Will Never be Another You. Arthur Higgins put his tenor down and took over on piano whilst Harrison moved in on drums! I'm beginning to think James plays more instruments than Paul Edis!

Walker returned for Wave.

Skerritt reaffirmed the Ellington maxim that It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got That Swing, the three saxes impressed on Sunny before the finale which was Let the Good Times Roll with a growly tenor intro from Higgins and a seven shades of .... drum solo from Walker to bring the evening to a satisfactory close.

This had been a great old style jam session with most of the players staying on board for the duration.

Photos.

Lance.
 James Harrison (piano/drums); Paul Grainger (bass); Rob Walker (drums) + Andy Lawrenson (violin); Ben Helm (guitar); Matthew Fairhurst (drums); Arthur Higgins (tenor/piano); Belinda Voshtina (vocal); Johnny 'Blue Hat' Davis (tenor); Emily Runsdale (vocal); Dave McKeague (drums); Paul Gowland (alto); Julija Jaicenaite (vocal); Paul Skerritt (vocal).
Some nice F/b comments that modesty forbids me to print.