The Dean Masser Quartet @ The Gala Theatre, Durham - Jan 24

Dean Masser (tenor sax); Dean Stockdale (piano); Ed Harrison (double bass); Gaz Hughes (drums)

(Review by Russell/ Photos courtesy of Malcolm Sinclair - link.

Print and online publicity for Friday's two gigs in a day featuring an all-star quartet - a lunchtime concert at Durham's Gala Theatre followed by an evening engagement at Opus 4 Jazz Club in Darlington - ranged from Dean Masser Quartet to Dean Masser-Dean Stockdale Quartet to Dean Masser with the Dean Stockdale Trio to Dean Stockdale Trio with Dean Masser...what's in a name? Especially as the Gala Theatre concert was, as usual, an advance sell out and the Traveller's Rest invariably pulls a good crowd.

Lugubrious tenor saxophonist Dean Masser, suited and booted, fronted the quartet - yep, let's settle for the Dean Masser Quartet. The other Dean, pianist Dean Stockdale, introduced some of the numbers leaving Dean M to crack a few jokes in between playing superb, straight-down-the-middle tenor sax. A set list comprising eight numbers with a mere sixty minutes to play them, Masser and co opened with Jimmy Van Heusen's It Could Happen to You. Dean M laid down a marker, Dean S followed, bassist Ed Harrison introduced himself and a classy round of fours confirmed Gaz Hughes* as an A-lister. 

Masser informed the capacity audience: Dexter Gordon is one my my saxophone heroes. Good, odds on, yes...Cheese Cake. Excellent. This is the sort of gig you eagerly await and, sure enough, it was worth waiting for. Alone Together featured a tenor sax-double bass exchange with bassist Harrison strolling through it. Impressive stuff!


Dean M spoke about another of his heroes - Joe Henderson. Recorda Me never fails to hit the spot at a gig or jam session and here at the Gala it wasn't any different with Dean S laying down a fine solo with sensitive supporting bass and drums. With one eye on the clock Masser jettisoned On Green Dolphin Street (there would be time to play it down the road in Darlington) in favour of Bud Powell's early bop chart Webb City (subsequently recorded by many others including Art Pepper, Sonny Stitt and John Dankworth in his 'Johnny Dankworth' days). Wasting no time, Masser went straight into St Thomas. It is reasonable to assume Mr S Rollins is another hero. 

It had been a great start to the Gala Theatre's 2020 lunchtime jazz concert series. February's concert (Friday 28, 1:00pm) presents John Garner, violin, and pianist Paul Edis performing a set inspired by the music of Bill Evans. The one hour performance will be another advance sellout. As folk made their way out of the Gala they stopped at the box office to book their tickets for February's concert. If you hesitate all tickets will be gone in no time. Book now on 03000 266 600. 

Russell

* Drummer Gaz Hughes has put together a nationwide tour to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Art Blakey. It's a real old school tour with no fewer than thirty one dates in the book. What's more,  Alan Barnes and Bruce Adams will be on most of them including a performance at Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle on Thursday February 20.