Shaune Eland (trumpet), Alan Thompson (tenor saxophone), Steve McGarvie (keyboards), Alan Smith (bass) & Stephen Fletcher (drums) + Ray Johnson (flugelhorn), Rick Laughlin (keyboards) & Beth Roberts (alto saxophone)
(Review by Russell)
Darlington Jazz Club meets twice monthly, usually at the Quakerhouse pub in Mechanics’ Yard, usually featuring an invited band. Occasionally there is an all-comers jam session. This was one such occasion. A pint of Bear Ass from Cheshire’s Beartown Brewery, selected from a tempting, tip-top range of beers, then upstairs to be greeted, as ever, by Beth Roberts ‘doing the door’.
The house band – effectively the Jazztones – kicked off with Lee Morgan’s Tom Cat. Trumpeter Shaune Eland led a round of solos, followed by tenor man Alan Thompson, then a bluesy Steve McGarvie. Bernie's Tune heard solos from all concerned before Eland stepped aside to allow the first of the sitters-in to have a blow. Ray Johnson played flugelhorn on three or four numbers, the pick being Beautiful Love, with Rick Laughlin on keyboards.
Alto saxophonist Beth Roberts, done with door duties, attended to the all-important interval raffle. The second set featured Ms Roberts. Work Song for starters, as sixth former Roberts lead off in fine style, obliging Eland and company to up their game. Roberts thought she was done. What? One tune? No way! The Quakerhouse audience wanted to hear more. Roberts called Ladybird. Thompson stood down with Ray Johnson back on the stand. Once again Roberts set a standard that the boys in the band did their best to match. The early evening jam session ended with all on the stand blowing on Black Orpheus. 
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