James Harrison (keys); Paul Grainger (bass); Russ Morgan (drums) + Graham Easthope, John Rowland, Ian White (tenor); Julija Jacenaite (vocals).
(Review/ Photos. by Lance).
Not a vintage jam regarding numbers of sitters-in although the goodly crowd was dealt quality-a-plenty. How could they not have been with the effervescent Harrison at the top of his game and the more laid back Grainger and Morgan equally sound? The opening Stompin' at the Savoy set the standard for what was to follow. Now normally, exchanges of fours bore me rigid but the musical repartee between piano and drums on the opening number was the exception. The fours became twos and the interplay was both meaningful and intentionally humourous.
Shrove or Fat Tuesday was celebrated Mardi Gras style with Just a Closer Walk With Thee followed by Mambo Inn.
The first of the few jammers, Graham Easthope took centre stage for a couple of tunes that had a familiar Blue Note sound to them. He opted for a sound deflector attached to the bell of his tenor but the tone was better when he removed it for Song For my Father.
Julija, the lark from Lithuania, has been absent for some time so it was a pleasure to have her back to belt out Cry Me a River. John Rowland joined her for You'd be so Nice to Come Home to and Wave. Ms. Jacenaite will be back for a lunchtime duo gig with Steve Glendinning in the Mezzanine Café section of the building on March 13 at two pm. The next jam session will also be held in the Mezz on March 19 (8pm).
Rowland blew gutsy tenor on Ladybird and It Ain't Necessarily So before, in the absence of any relief pianists, bassists or drummers, an interval was called.
This was the night of the three tenors as yet another Bb horn stepped up in the form of Ian White. Black Orpheus had a 5 star solo from James and Ian didn't do bad either!
John Rowland had departed so it was left to Ian and Graham to battle it out like Dexter and Wardell on West Coast Blues.
Ian shone on Well You Needn't and Oleo and the two tenors took us out on Blue Bossa and Caravan.
More jam tonight (Wednesday March 6). at the Dun Cow in Jesmond.
Lance.
Photos.
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