Matt MacKellar Band livestreaming from The Black Swan, Newcastle - April 27

(Screenshot by Ken Drew)

Matt MacKellar (drums); Andy Champion (bass guitar); Ben Lawrence (keys) + Evie Hill (vocals).

A few tech. probs. at BSH HQ meant I didn't make my entrance to the Black Swan's virtual Press Box until 10 minutes after the advertised start time. Fortunately, the band were still on the opener - Continuum - a somewhat introspective piece by Jaco Pastorius that set the mood for the evening. This wasn't going to be a putting the boot in set as much as a time for displaying the more melodic side of the contemporary scene.

(Screenshot by Ken Drew)

Surprisingly, although Matt was far from being a shrinking violet, there weren't any extended drum solos. Instead, he opted for making his presence one of awareness rather than overpowering, a virtue that many drummers don't possess in abundance.

Ben Lawrence, as we've come to expect over the years, treated the material with respect. His delicate touch enhancing numbers that could have been lessened by a more flamboyant player.

As befitted his physical stature, Andy Champion was a tower of strength holding it all together both solowise and with his prominent, underlying, riffs.

(Screenshot by Ken Drew)

Evie only got to sing a couple of vocals and she didn't go for any soft options - no Summertime or Cry me a River  with Evie! Instead we heard Disenchanted and Sweet Love. Neither of them easy songs to sing and she coped well. Look forward to catching her again. 

Matt dedicated a couple of songs to his dad - George would have been proud... 

Lance

Continuum (Jaco Pastorius); Roy Allan (Roy Hargrove); Disenchantment: The Weight (Nate Smith); Someday We'll All be Free (Donny Hathaway & Edward Howard); The Yellowjacket (Shaun Martin); Lost Painting (Ben Lawrence); Interlude (?) (H E R B); Sweet Love (Anita Baker); J-Dillalude (J Dilla); Overjoyed (Stevie Wonder).