Jam Session @ the Black Swan - April 16

Ben Gilbert (keys); Paul Grainger (bass); Russ Morgan (drums) + Harry Keeble (tenor sax); Lachlan Fotheringham (soprano sax); John Pope, Dave Parker (bass); Walter Feeney (trumpet); Abbie Finn, Matt Fairhurst (drums); Debra Milne (vocals); Poppy Pagan (vocals/flute).

(Review/PHOTOS by Lance).

Some 11 years ago, when BSH was first launched into cyberspace, much of the action took place down on Newcastle's quayside at the Side Café. One of the many emerging talents from that era was pianist Ben Gilbert whose flame flickered brightly and briefly before disappearing and turning to [the] Smoke. Now based in Leeds, he heeded the call to Graingertown for the highly esteemed Black Swan jam session where he displayed the maturity we all knew would blossom.  

Jazz is an ever ongoing thing and, just like Ben all those years ago, tonight a new star was born. Walter Feeney is but 17 yet his playing belied those tender years. A full, round, tone that was closer to Lee Morgan or Clifford Brown rather than Miles or Dizzy was heard to good advantage on a tentative There Will Never be Another You and a more assured Solar that got the unbridled applause from the 'cynics on the sofa'.

Not that this was the only highlight. Harry Keeble is rapidly moving to the forefront of the tenor team and it was a shame the other tenor regulars were absent as the last number shoot-out could well have been the foundation of a legend.

For once there was no shortage of bassists with both John Pope and Dave Parker giving PG's fingertips a spell. Likewise, drummers Finn and Fairhurst took turns on the throne.

Lachlan Fotheringham is so tall he makes his soprano sax seem like a peashooter - until he blows! He encapsulates the history of the instrument from Bechet to Coltrane which is no mean achievement for a guy I last heard playing clarinet in a New Orleans style band. Jazz sans frontières.

Debra Milne sang Coltrane's Equinox and Don't Get Around Much Anymore whilst Poppy gave her own interpretation of Aqua De Beber singing and fluting distinctively.

The house trio, who had opened the evening with In Your Own Sweet Way, gave an equally impressive In Walked Bud before Harry and Walter took us out with Straight No Chaser.

Yet another enjoyable evening at 'The Greatest Show on Earth'.

Lance PHOTOS