Darlington Jazz Festival: Jeff Barnhart & John Hallam @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre - May 5

Jeff Barnhart (piano, vocals); John Hallam (tenor & baritone saxophones, clarinet); Keith Stephen (guitar, banjo); Bruce Rollo (double bass, vocals)

(Review by Russell)

Darlington New Orleans Jazz club has been presenting the best in jazz – from ragtime to swing, all things New Orleans to Dixieland, hot dance music and a nod to the ‘revivalists’ – for more than two decades. Darlington Jazz Festival’s decision to change its established late April slot in the calendar to the first week in May meant that the New Orleans’ session could be incorporated into the festival with the prospect of benefitting from the wider publicity generated by a high profile, five-day event.

Meeting on the first Saturday lunchtime in the month at St Augustine’s Parish Centre on the corner of Larchfield Street the New Orleans Jazz Club presented American pianist Jeff Barnhart renewing acquaintance with reedsman John Hallam and their rhythm section friends, guitarist Keith Stephen and bassist Bruce Rollo – collectively they’re affectionately known as the Mr Men. Glorious weather could have persuaded some to forego their monthly fix of classic era jazz, but any such fears were allayed with a large turn out keen to hear more from the returning piano virtuoso Jeff Barnhart.

Fine and Dandy suggested Barnhart, or was it Hallam? Whoever it was, the quartet – four amiable characters – readily agreed to play it. John Hallam on tenor took a first solo, Barnhart encouraging his friend to play before taking a solo of his own followed by Keith Stephen and slap bass exponent Bruce Rollo. Solos all round, everyone happy (Mr Men and audience), the perfect start to the May meeting of Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club. Maestro Barnhart suggested maestro Stephen take the intro to (Give Me) A Kiss to Build a Dream on with John Hallam playing clarinet for the first time during the afternoon. Swing that Music swung and at this juncture, it was time for your reviewer to depart for another session about to get underway at the Quakerhouse in Mechanics’ Yard.

The full setlist at St Augustine’s was as follows (with thanks to Patti D):

Fine and Dandy, (Give Me) A Kiss to Build a Dream on, Swing that Music, Doin’ the Crazy Walk, Si Tu Vois Ma Mère, Sweet Sue, Burgundy Street and Just Friends.

A Jeff Barnhart solo ragtime selection preceded the second set

Stompin’ at the Savoy, You Brought a New kind of Love to Me, Stealin’ Apples, Nuages, After You’ve Gone, It’s Been a Long, Long Time, Dinah, There Will Never Be Another You.

Russell