Probably the last jam session of the year @ The Globe - December 29

(Review/Photos by Lance).

The longest, established, floating jam session in Newcastle has been moored at The Globe for some years now usually on a Wednesday where it is given the more respectful title of a "Jazz Worskshop". The vagaries of the festive season meant that this year it moved to last night (Sunday) which, as the list of jammers indicates was a popular move. The audience too showed up in numbers and a jolly time was had by all.

With so much toing and froing it was impossible to list an orderly programme of events suffice to say everyone was having fun and it was good to meet up with friends and acquaintances old and new.

Bert Louissen, on a visit from Holland sang and played keyboard à la Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder with Georgia on my Mind and I Wish. The latter number had backing vocals from Teresa and Jude and brought the biggest round of applause of the evening.

Teresa sang Dance me to the End of Love whilst Jude was here there and everywhere singing, fluting, saxing and bass guitaring - such talent. 

John Hutton, who could have been mistaken for a bouncer, gave a spirited version of Fly me to the Moon and later rocked the joint with a number I failed to make a note of. Magda impressed with Mean to Me, likewise Sheila with Fine and Mellow whilst BSH's own unique chanteuse Ann Alex took centre stage for Secret Love.

Amidst the surrounding mayhem, like the Emperor Nero, Dave Weisser kept his cool blowing tightly muted cornet and his Miles Davis tee shirt was not out of place.

Pianists and drummers seemed to be on a conveyer belt Sam Young switching from piano to drums and back again to make room for Lewis Currie on piano and his sidekick, whose name I missed out on, on drums.  Matt Fairhurst, subtle and laid back had a spell on kit as did the more extrovert Geoff Smith. One of the pleasant surprises in an evening full of surprises was Lauren Ainsborough on keyboards. Look forward to hearing more.

One minor gripe: Does everyone have to take a solo on every number, particularly when a singer is on stage? A rationed approach would allow more numbers. However, that's jam sessions for you and it was still an excellent evening.

Lance.

PS: Apologies to anyone I've missed out or got their name wrong - corrections are welcomed.

Dave Weisser (cornet); Jude Murphy (alto sax/flute/bass guitar/vocal); Ray Johnson (trumpet); Bernie Ranson (tenor sax); Nigel Greenwood (alto sax/trumpet/piano/vocal); Rachel Richman (alto sax); Poppy Pagan (flute); Pete Bennett, Roy Stephenson (guitars); Dave Parker (bass); Bert Louissen (piano/vocal); Lewis Currie, Lauren Ainsborough (piano); Sam Young (piano/drums); Geoff Smith, Matt Fairhurst, A.N. Other (drums); Teresa Danby, Ann Alex, John Hutton, Sheila Herrick, Magda Ruta (vocals).