Ian Bosworth (guitar); Ron Smith (bass); Peter Crinion (keys); Mark Hawkins (drums); + Donna Hewitt (sax) and Rod Millgate (keys/vocal).
(Review by Ron H)
Although newly formed, most of the players were known to the audience and they were duly appreciated as they kicked off the night in fine style with Cantaloupe Island which included a nice solo from Donna on alto. Ian’s feature, Affirmation, also went down well, the particularly tight ending impressed.
A favourite of mine, Buddy Johnson's Since I Fell For You, had great dynamics, thoughtful guitar and sax solos as well as a real blues feeling which went beyond the basic 12 bar changes.
The Yellow Jackets’ Revelation saw some excellent playing by Mark on drums and Ron on bass. They had done stellar work previously but, I think, they upped their game for this one.
The set finished with a couple of nicely played Michael Jackson' numbers - Human Nature and Billy Jean.
Stanley Turrentine’s Sugar, got the second set groovin’ with Rod Millgate on keys taking us to, maybe, downtown Detroit.
With Peter back on keyboard, the mood was sustained by a rousing funky version of The Chicken with Ron and Mark doing justice to a composition the band clearly enjoyed playing.
Summertime had a slow intro but it was soon moved up-tempo to include a nice keyboard solo from Peter.
Rod once again joined the band for a fine vocal on the classic, Georgia On My Mind and there was also some lovely sax playing from Donna.
Herbie Hancock's ever-popular Watermelon Man finished the second set but the audience insisted on an encore.
They got it with Put it Where You Want it by The Jazz Crusaders which brought the evening to a close in fine style.
The Ian Bosworth Quartet went down well with an enthusiastic audience and, in the process, I'm sure, helped to keep the Jazz Club thriving.
Thanks go to Dormans Club for their support in running the Jazz night.
Ron H.
PS: Check out the forthcoming Dormans Jazz Festival in April/May.
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