I remember, back in the early days of the Side Café, situated in the shadow of the Tyne Bridge, climbing the stairs to the upper room. I'd been off the scene for a while and it came as a surprise to realise that a whole new generation of jazz musicians had arrived. Many of them the equal, if not better than some of the older musicians I'd revered. Bernard Shaw's famous quote came to mind: "Of course you're better than I am - you were born after me"!
The young pianist who sat in at the closing jam session didn't kick ass that night but you had the feeling he was polishing his shoes in readiness.
I'm talkin' Rob Brockway - those shoes must be rather worn by now!
That promise has well and truly come to fruition over the years and, on this album, he meets his fellow A-listers on even terms.
Sean Gibbs, like so many, is a product of the Birmingham Conservatoire after initially making his mark with the Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra and the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland. His solos, like his compositions, combine lyricism and fire with no lack of technique.
Riley Stone-Lonergan, for those unfamiliar with his playing, threw his hat in the ring via various livestreams during lockdown and told the world that the UK probably has more top class tenor players per "unsquare" mile than anywhere in the world - yes, maybe even over there!
Jay Davis graduated from Leeds and has picked up many prestigious awards since.
Calum Gourlay is a bass playing legend north of the border and, after graduating and subsequently teaching at the Royal Academy of Music, he soon became a first call bassist on the London scene.
As for Rob I feel proud and yet humble to have been in on the ground floor (metaphorically speaking) of this young man's remarkable growth and I'm pretty sure there's much more to come.
In the meantime, if you like your jazz to have a suggestion of Herbie Hancock about it then look no further. Lance
Released August 13 on Ubuntu Music (UBU 0083) with a launch at The Vortex on August 20.
Internal Conflict; Happy Hour; Mary; The Grand Parade; That's Your Lot; Camperdown; When Can I See You Again?
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