(Review by Lance).
One
of the more sedate jams that was, nevertheless, not without its merits and
quite often less is more and so tonight proved.
The
house trio of Stu, Paul and Rob set the tone with Lover, A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square and Take the A Train. Played with their
customary precision and aplomb, it told any newcomers, and there were a few,
that they would be in safe hands should they take the plunge.
Steve
Summers is no newcomer and he set out his stall with compelling versions of Wave and Well You Needn’t. His booting tenor as tough as they come.
A
new face, and one that could have launched a 1000 ships on the way here had
there been any ships to launch. Angelina, a German/Russian student sang Angel Eyes quite delightfully. From now
on, to me that song will always be called Angelina
Eyes! This was followed up with Lullaby
of Birdland and left me wanting more.
It
seemed appropriate that I was drinking Tyneside Blonde.
It
was a challenge for any singer to step up after Angelina but the home team’s
Minnie Fraser can handle any situation and her versions of God Bless the Child and Darn
That Dream kept us in the game bringing us up to half time.
Whilst
the players were in the dressing room sucking lemons another newcomer occupied
the piano stool. Joe Johnson played an original composition that was impressive
with lots of changes of tempo and interesting chords. We never did get
to know the name of the tune, maybe, as of yet, it’s untitled.
The
second set got underway with more surprises. Steve Summers changed from tenor
to sop sax and began playing Body and
Soul. This encouraged the sartorially splendid – he makes the late George
Melly look like your average man in the street – Ray Burns to leap in and take
the vocal as well as having a blast on Harmonica.
‘Showtime’
Gray joined the party and Michael Mather played drums. Bye Bye Blackbird and Wayne Shorter’s Footprints kept things humming.
I
opted for another Tyneside Blonde whilst Minnie went for Black Coffee before confiding that she Ain’t Misbehavin’ which was once more a cue for Burnsy to bag a few
choruses. Mark Taylor played drums – another discovery!
Summers
and Gray blew Billie's Bounce to
smithereens then sought redemption in Excclusiastics
from the Mingus Oh Yeah album – the one
where he plays piano and sings Hog Callin’
Blues.
Minnie
didn’t do any hog calling but sang That
Old Black Magic.
I
missed Black Orpheus and Blue Monk which wasn’t all I missed! The
Metro didn’t turn up on time which meant I missed my connecting bus at Heworth
and was beaten by a short head in the sprint for the one and only taxi in the
rank.
Still,
but a minor blip in an otherwise enjoyable evening!
Lance.
Paul Grainger (bass); Stu Collingwood (piano); Rob Walker (drums) + Steve Summers (tenor/soprano sax); David Gray (trombone); Ray Burns (harmonica/vocals); Michael Mather, Mark Taylor (drums); Joe Johnson (piano); Minnie Fraser, Angelina Smyschlajew (vocals).
No comments :
Post a Comment