Jambone @ Sage Gateshead - January 18

(Review by Russell).

A concert by Sage Gateshead’s youth jazz orchestra is always a welcome event and despite a mid-January reminder of winter’s worst a good number of supporters took their seats in Sage Two for a one set performance of sixty minutes duration. The orchestra assembled on stage on time dressed in regulation all black attire.

The set list comprised four numbers; a Rodgers and Hart standard and three by Jambone MD Paul Edis. Putting names to most of the faces was a simple exercise given that Bebop Spoken Here has regularly documented the fortunes of the region’s premier youth big band. One new face, Ms Emily McDermott, the band’s vocalist, would sing on all four numbers, remaining on stage throughout.

McDermott, Alex Thompson playing clarinet, James Metcalf, trumpet, and Ben Lawrence, sitting at Sage Two’s Steinway, featured on the opening number, Edis’ It Ain’t Broke. McDermott possesses a fine voice, singing with assurance, if she was nervous it didn’t show. Will Ms. McDermott develop a jazz voice? Watch this space. Jambone MD Paul Edis informed the audience that Antonia Carlos Jobim’s signature jazz samba would add something a little different to The Long Way Round. A tale of Tyneside’s Metro rail system, try taking the scenic route – the long way round – to get a sense of Edis’ thinking as you travel from Newcastle to Whitley Bay via South Gosforth. Matthew Downey is the band’s guitarist, perhaps a little shy, a preference for being seated, but fully concentrated, took it out on a vamp alongside the ace Jambone rhythm section.

Lucien ‘Satchmo’ Guest stepped out of the trumpet section to join vocalist McDermott front of stage to play Louis to Jambone’s Ella. Great fun with some fine playing. My Funny Valentine (arr. P Edis) featured McDermott, of course, Alex Thompson on alto, and the band’s sole trombone player, Kate Garnett, with excellent work from the trumpet section. It isn’t often that a flautist gets an opportunity to show what they can do, but in this big band, not one but two fine players were duly given space; first Megan Robinson, then Imogen Davies-Pugh.

Edis’ Bite covered a lot of ground with just about everyone getting a chance to play on this, the final number of the evening. Solo contributions popped up all over the place but it would be remiss if the rhythm kings – bassist Alex Shipsey and drummer Dylan Thompson – didn’t get a mention. As sure as night follows day these young musicians will make it, if that’s what they want to do. Time will tell.    

Jambone is a ‘work in progress’ heading in the right direction and the Gateshead International Jazz Festival (April 6-8) offers a further opportunity to hear the band and, what’s more, the ensemble will be working with James Brady and Issie Barratt! Book your tickets now by calling Sage Gateshead’s ticket office – 0191 443 4661.

Russell. 

Paul Edis MD; Alex Thompson (alto saxophone & clarinet); Christopher Muir (alto & soprano saxophones); Ella Talbot (alto saxophone); Haaruun Miller (alto saxophone); Ryan de Silva (baritone saxophone); Kate Garnett (trombone); Imogen Davies-Pugh (flute); Megan Robinson (flute); Edward Hogben (trumpet); James Metcalf (trumpet); Lucien Guest (trumpet); Matthew Downey (guitar); Ben Lawrence (piano); Alex Shipsey (bass & double bass); Dylan Thompson (drums); Emily McDermott (vocals).