Whitney Balliett famously called jazz The Sound of Surprise which indeed it often is and not just by the music but also by the unexpected appearance of a jazz legend in a neighbourhood club or bar.
Back in the 1960s, members of the Basie Band paid an unexpected visit to Newcastle’s, now long gone, Downbeat Club after a City Hall concert and jammed with the Emcee Five. Harry Connick Jr. sat in at the old Jazz Café and, on another occasion, Wynton Marsalis called in.
Eric Delaney visited Rosie’s and the New Crown in South Shields and sat in (on snare drum) at the Porthole in North Shields. George Wein was impressed by what he heard at Blaydon Jazz Club (Paul Edis Trio) and Sting made an unexpected visit to Hoochie Coochie just last year; an event that made the Nationals for all the wrong reasons!
Sting wasn’t present at the Dun Cow in Jesmond last night (although his Aunt Mary was) however, American singer, pianist and occasional songwriter, Daryl Sherman made a surprise appearance. Daryl, heading south from Edinburgh, was staying locally and the word had got on to the grapevine that she might show which she did and sat in for a couple of numbers – In a Mellow Tone with George Sykes on tenor and You Turned the Tables on me with Dan Garel on alto.
Jam sessions, irrespective of how good the solos are, invariably end in chaos. Even the most famous jams of them all – Norman Granz’s JATP concerts were not immune as the records prove. To some, it’s part of the impromptu charm of a jam session. Not so with Daryl, the ending of Tables was so well choreographed by our visitor that you’d have thought they’d spent all day rehearsing it!
I know I’ve said this before but it always seems appropriate – DS I (we) Love You.
It had been a good evening all-round with the aforementioned Garel blowing some superb alto, George Sykes proving a suitable foil on tenor and Chris Gurgi-Smith once again blowing fine trombone.
John Bradford sat in on drums, took solos and exchanged fours as well as keeping time – a name to look out for.
There was a rare appearance by Kay Usher on electric violin who delighted the audience with a swinging Out of Nowhere and The Girl From Ipanema.
On the vocal front, apart from Daryl, Jenny Kanellea set the pace with Why Don’t You Do Right? and the multi-titled Day in the Life of a Fool. Kate O’Neill sang It Might as Well be Spring and Almost Like Being in Love and Alice Grace gave us Bye Bye Blackbird and Devil May Care which Daryl reminded us was written by Bob Dorough who died on Monday.
It has to be said that all of the singers, Daryl included, weren’t done any favours by the sound system.
Not surprisingly, the home team of Alan, Paul and Russ were their usual solid selves. Daryl being particularly impressed by Alan.
Next week it’s Ruth Lambert and Stuart Collingwood doing a duo set.
I should also mention that, apart from the music, the pub has a selection of cask ales and a tempting menu that is served from 11am to 9pm
Lance.
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