Jazz in the Afternoon @ The Crescent Club - July 1

(Review by Russell)

Monday afternoon, Cullercoats, it's Jazz in the Afternoon! The regulars were on parade with the exception of the indisposed Ollie Rillands. Depping for drummer Rillands was none other than regular Wednesday (Vieux Carré) kit man Fred Thompson. Nobody's Sweetheart Now sang front man Herbie Hudson. Yep, typical Monday afternoon fayre. 

'Young' John frequently sits-in at the Crescent Club and his bonhomie is appreciated by one and all. Today's vocal selection included the 'jazz classic' Bring Me Sunshine. Mr Hudson sang Georgia on my Mind before inviting another guest to join the quartet, Scotswood Slim aka Mr Brian Lynham. A first number hit the spot, a nod to the great Doris Day, Secret Love. So good was our blues harp man that he would later return to the stage to belt out Johhny Otis' Willie and the Hand Jive. 

 Birthday girl Teresa Armstrong (she had a 'do' at the club last weekend) sang not her usual three numbers but four accompanied at the piano, as ever, by Roy Gibson. Almost Like Being in Love, Once in a While, After You've Gone and Out of Nowhere were our Cullercoats songstress' numbers today. More next week from Teresa.

Fred Thompson always sings a couple of numbers, today's tunes included On the Sunny Side of the Street. Drumming and singing...how does he do it?!

Miles Watson rarely misses a Monday session and he was present today sharing the stand with one of the old guard, Mr Harry Stephenson, clarinet. As the afternoon drew to a three o'clock close the frontline comprised Messrs Hudson, Watson and Stephenson backing a strange looking Sheik of Araby (Young John, sporting a fez, rather sharing a fez with trumpeter Watson). 

Jazz in the Afternoon continues to pull a crowd, to be sure of a seat arrive in good time for a one o'clock start. It's free admission and the beers are pretty decent. A canny day out down the coast. 

Russell        

Herbie Hudson (trombone, harmonica, vocals); Brian Chester (piano); Dave Percy (bass); Fred Thompson (drums, vocals) + Young John (vocals); Brian Lynam (harmonica, vocals); Teresa Watson (vocals); Roy Gibson (piano); Miles Watson (trumpet, vocals); Harry Stephenson (clarinet).