(Review by Russell)
Jazz Café favourites Paul Skerritt and James Harrison made a return visit to Newcastle's Pink Lane venue following their successful appearance during the long hot days of summer. The duo has established a simple, winning formula - Skerritt chooses a favourite tune, then Harrison makes a selection - and they stick to it.
Witty repartee is part of the act with the duo having a laugh, poking fun at one another, laughing at themselves and, importantly, interacting with the audience. The latter quality isn't a universal trait and perhaps some other gigging musicians could take a leaf out of their book.

Dig beneath the surface and you'll find Skerritt and Harrison are more than merely good time entertainers. Skerritt's deep tenor to baritone rendition of Gregory Porter's emotive Take Me to the Alley tells you he can sing the heavyweight stuff when the mood takes him and his partner-in-frivolity, Harrison can play a mean jazz piano - for example effortlessly incorporating stride patterns into his solo flights, notably I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter.

At the end of the evening, the Jazz Café's proprietor announced that he had booked the duo to make a quick return - the date for your diary is Thursday, November 15.
Russell.
* It can be confirmed that no harm came to the performers during the making of the evening's entertainment.
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