Jam sessions are unpredictable events. Some nights nobody turns up whilst other nights just about everyone shows. Invariably, the instrumental balance is rarely an even one. The other week we had alto saxes growing out of our ears whereas this week there was ne'er an Eb horn in sight although tenors were brandished freely. On this occasion, however, it was the piano that prevailed. Not one of your plug in and wind up keyboards but the good old house Hyundai upright which, defronted and hammers bared, laid down the invitation to "play me" and many did.
Kate O'Neill stepped up to the plate for a rendition of Summertime delivered with a voice that exudes raw emotion. Charismatic, a true original. The Very Thought of You had some growly tenor from John Rowlands and more earthy singing from Kate. She doesn't just sing but seems to act the words as she brings her musical drama to a traumatic close. Next stop Covent Garden!
End of Act One.
The boys retired for a well-earned lemonade, John Rowland returned and Matt replaced Matt for a workout on Bernie's Tune and It Had to be You.
Another day, another drummer and yet another piano incumbent. Mo on drums and a Hawaiian shirted pianist from sunny Manchester, Oliver Dowinton, joined Lamb and Rowland for Tadd's Ladybird. Despite the shirt which didn't match the weather Oliver made this truly a pianoramatic evening proving himself to be on a par with what had preceded him.
John Bradford, drums, Charlie Gordon, guitar, Ben Richardson, George Sykes and, of course, Paul Grainger. They Waved in true Jobim fashion with Sykes just getting his head in front at the line.
What better tune to finish off with than Cherokee - the second Ray Noble tune of the evening and a belter by the FTQ - 1 + 1.
Even as I headed into the Newcastle night young MacKellar's drum 'n' bass beats hung in the air...
I rode home on the number 27 bus - or was it the number 7 cloud?
Lance.
Photos.
Stu Collingwood (piano); Paul Grainger (bass); Matt MacKellar (drums) + Ben Richardson (piano); Kate O'Neill (vocal); Ben Lawrence (piano); Francis Tulip (guitar); John Rowland (tenor); Matt Fairhirst (drums); Michael Lamb (trumpet); George Sykes, Jamie Toms (tenor); Joel Brown (piano); Hazem Mohammed (drums); Oliver Dowinton (piano); John Bradford (drums); Charlie Gordon (guitar).
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