Julija Jacenaite (vocals/piano); Alan Law (piano) + George Sykes (tenor).(Review by Lance).
I've heard Julija several times at jam sessions and never failed to be impressed. However, a couple of numbers at a jam is far removed from the responsibility of sustaining that momentum over a two-set gig and I was curious to see if she could cut it.
Any doubts I may have had vanished with the opening bars of Misty - this, I told myself was going to be good and it was good - maybe as good as it gets except, as the night unfolded it got even better!
An original, Mood 3, The Girl From Ipanema, introduced in English, sung in Portuguese by a lady from Lithuania and much appreciated by a couple at my table who were from Norway!
Jazz - the international language.
Some might say that Cry me a River has been done to death. maybe, but tonight it got the kiss of life. This was the most incredible version ever - Julija's intermingling of song, spoken word, scat, gestures and facial expressions was pure jazz theatre. Away from the tear-jerking River, Cheek to Cheek bounced along nicely and the set ended with Love me or Leave me
Nobody left!
Of course, this was a duo gig and Alan Law, deservedly accorded equal billing, maintained the standard he'd set at the previous night's Jazz Café Jam Session providing JJ with sympathetic support and superb solos when let off the leash.
Intermission time and I was pleased the Norwegian couple, Torgeir and Siri, were enjoying the show.
Apart from singing, Julija involves the audience with her in between numbers chat which made for a homely atmosphere
Second set opened up with All of Me before tenor sax man George Sykes blew on Take the A Train, Angel Eyes and It Don't Mean a Thing. The empathy between sax and voice on Angel Eyes was incredible for an unrehearsed number. George, incidentally, is looking for the opportunity to blow with a big band so if anyone knows of one he's a reader and a soloist.
Alan Law left to see a man about a dog so JJ sat at the keyboard and played a couple of choruses of Chick Corea's Spain followed by some Chopin (or maybe some other classical guy) - amazing.
The evening drew to a close with Alan back at the keys and the best Lithuanian singer I've ever heard in Newcastle stamping her brand on Mood Indigo. Upon reflection, I'm almost tempted to delete Lithuanian from that sentence.
A grand evening that deserved more support. Earlier, my new Norwegian friends who were staying nearby had gone out for a stroll, it being a rare balmy Spring evening, only to have their walk curtailed by the sign outside the pub saying 'Live Jazz Tonight'. End of walk.
For anyone out walking next Wednesday (April 25), it is Jam Session Night at the Dun Cow. Who knows, if you ask, the band may play Walkin' which will save you on foot leather!
Photos.
Lance.
PS: Watch this space for news on JJ's debut album.
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