Tulip & Lawrence @ Bar Tutster's - August 31

Francis Tulip (guitar); Ben Lawrence (keyboards)

(Review by Russell)

The County Durham outpost of Bishop Auckland has supported live jazz for many a year - the Tees Valley Jazzmen, recently at No.1 Champagne Bar, latterly at the Merry Monk, and Mick Shoulder's monthly promotion at the Town Hall (from September relocating to the Merry Monk due to the council premises undergoing major renovation work). In recent times Bar Tutster's on Fore Bondgate has offered the vacationing Francis Tulip a gig which the Birmingham Conservatoire music student readily accepted. 

A day-long 'Future of Fore Bondgate Street Party' event attracted crowds to Bishop Auckland's ancient thoroughfare to browse bookshops and art galleries and lend an ear to buskers doing their thing on a late summer's day. 

Bar Tutster's supports live music week in, week out and whenever Francis Tulip is in town a gig at the one room pub is always on offer to him. This afternoon guitarist Tulip played a one hour set in the company of pianist Ben Lawrence. FT's old guitar tutor Graham Henderson dropped by as did family and friends. 

A selection of GASbook and contemporary standards satisfied the jazz heads and didn't frighten off Tutster's bar flies. All the Things You Are, Joshua Redman's Soul Dance, Francis and Ben worked together sympathetically, - a nod, a mere glance sufficient to steer an agreeable course. 

Ben knocked out a knock-out solo on Rollins' Solid, Francis played some tasty chords on Stella by Starlight and throughout the set couldn't help but play one dazzling solo after another. Soon they'll be heading off to Birmingham and Durham for another year of study. As and when they return, be sure to check them out at a jam session or two.  

Russell