Today we should have been at a sold out Tyne Bank Brewery for day three of this year's Newcastle Jazz Festival. Sadly, the little matter of Covid-19 put paid to that! At the time of writing - approaching four in the afternoon - your scribe would have been about to sup pint number four, but, there's always next year. But wait! There is a festival of sorts today, albeit a one day online event.
At precisely two o'clock Michael Lamb appeared on screen to introduce today's participants. First up, Lloyd Wright. Guitarist Lloyd, self-effacing as always, ran through a half hour set of choice standards. Sitting comfortably, Lloyd confided this was a first for him...playing a gig with no shoes on! Our man soon had us dancing Cheek to Cheek. Stevie Wonder's Isn't She Lovely? counted as a standard, so said Lloyd. Yeah, just about. Throughout, our man remained seated as he opted to use, sparingly, it should be said, his own rhythmic accompaniment tracks. There'll Never be Another You is good jam session fayre and it stood Lloyd in good stead as he looked into an unresponsive camera lens. Rest assured Lloyd we were on the other end applauding!
To close out his set Lloyd thanked a former guitar tutor - none other than Gary Dunn - for introducing him to Ike Isaac's St Anne's Court. This was a good choice, bluesy 'n' all. A good set.
Following Lloyd, long-time exiled north easterner, Mr Paul Booth similarly opted to play a set of standards. Tenor sax for the most part, with a couple of tunes on soprano, PB gave us a reminder, as if it was necessary, that he has been A-list material since his teens. Now, some twenty five years on, there's none better. From Secret Love to Tenor Madness this was great tenor playing. As with Lloyd, Paul chose to use a loop pedal on one or two of his selections - either a saxophone line or hand clap. A double helping of soul - Body and Soul and Better Git it in Your Soul - demonstrated our man's versatility. Oh, yes...Paul, as is his want, blew some mini-sized digeridoo.
A one hour break followed. At four o'clock Alyn Shipton is to chair a panel discussion on jazz in lockdown and the future of the music. Alyn's guests will be Paul Edis, Jo Harrop and Dennis Rollins.
Russell
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