A co-led quartet, guitarist Tom Dempsey and bassist Tim Ferguson have recorded albums together, they've played Small's on several occasions. This evening's gig found them working in the company of saxophonist Peter Brainin and the splendidly named McClenty Hunter on drums. A sparsely attended performance, the music excellent, the live stream's audio-visual quality not the best*
There is no Greater Love opened the set, Isfahan followed, Dempsey a fan of Jim Hall, suitably restrained, Ferguson's great sound. Brainin, a new name, blowing tenor sax then some soprano on Hocus Pocus from their aptly titled Beautiful Friendship album, this then, is the NYC jazz scene.
It's a common occurrence, if not policy at Small's, for the horn player not to be on a mic, and as and when announcements are made, the PA clearly isn't the best. It probably sounds fine in the room, over the internet not so good. Jim Hall's Big Blues, from the quartet's Waltz New album featured an excellent tenor solo and a listenable round of fours and eights, ably dispatched by Hunter. To close out the set, Charlie Haden's First Song. Sensitive playing all round. A good set.
* Live streams have become the new normal. Here on Tyneside, Newcastle Jazz Co-op's presentations are, almost without exception, excellent. Sound and vision are as good as, frequently better than, other promoters/venues' offerings. It comes as a surprise, therefore, that Small's live streams, coming from the Big Apple are somewhat lacking. Surely, anything Newcastle upon Tyne can do, New York City can do, too?
Russell
Set list: There is no Greater Love; Isfahan; Hocus Pocus; Big Blues; First Song
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