Haaruun Miller (alto sax, soprano sax); Ferg Kilsby (trumpet); George Ivanov (guitar); Alex Shipsey (bass guitar); Dylan Thompson (drums); Paul Edis (MD, flute, piano)
(Review by Russell)
The term 'production line' makes it seem rather regimented, widgets by the dozen. The Early Bird hothouse is anything but impersonal, anything but uninspiring. On the contrary, the Early Bird set-up and many other similar projects across the region - Jambone, Jazz Attack, JB's Cats, the Gala Big Band, the Tyne Valley Big Band stable to name but a few - succeed because of the work put in by dedicated tutors. Today's workshop format at the Lit & Phil, culminating in a short public performance, offered further evidence of the student-tutor relationship yielding positive results.
In the not too distant future one or two of today's young muscians will be moving on just as a couple of new faces join the ranks. Four numbers today starting with There is no Greater Love. The two-horn frontline stepped up - Ferg Kilsby, trumpet and Haaruun Miller, alto sax - supported by the established bass and drums pairing of Alex Shipsey and Dylan Thompson and promising new recruit George Ivanov, guitar.
Freddie Hubbard's Little Sunflower held few fears as first Haaruun then George did more than alright. Ferg blew amazingly mature trumpet on If I Should Lose You with a nice flute (Paul Edis) - drums exchange of fours to take it out.
Caravan is a concert party piece and jam session staple. It's a chance to have a blow and, of course, the band's drummer takes centre stage. Close your eyes and you're listening to a pro drummer with thousands of gigs notched on a drum stick. Open your eyes and it's young Dylan Thompson hand-drumming (for a few bars with a brush in one hand) with panache. Check out these guys, you'll be impressed.
Russell
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