It had been a long while. The last time Opus 4 Jazz Club met must have been something like eighteen months ago. Concerts cancelled, concerts postponed, concerts rearranged, a nightmare for the promoter, not much fun for the many musicians scheduled to appear, and the audience deprived of its monthly modern jazz club session. Now, mid-September 2021, we're back at the Traveller's Rest in Cockerton, Darlington.
Not much had changed - many familiar faces sat at their usual tables, making frequent visits to the downstairs bar to replenish a glass - Ossett Brewery's Yorkshire Blonde - and MC Mr N Robinson introduced the band. This evening, Abbie Finn's Finntet. Now here's a thing, Abbie and the boys hit the ground running...Lester Left Town, Nutville and Dat Dere. That's the way to start a set, three bop classics one after the other! Drummer Abbie in Blakey mode, driving the band with unstinting energy and enthusiasm, the boys responded to the whip hand. The horns - Harry Keeble on tenor, Graham Hardy firing on trumpet - played a blinder. The rhythm section - Abbie, pianist Dean Stockdale, and the man at the back, bassist Paul Grainger - right on the money.
A couple of original compositions - one from Keeble, one from Grainger - warranted their inclusion in the set list alongside Ellis Marsalis' Swinging at the Haven and a favourite of Mr Robinson, Dear Johnny B. The latter number being Tubby Hayes' tribute to his former bandmate, EmCee 5 drummer Johnny Butts. It had been a grand return here at the Traveller's Rest, next month, October 15, it's the Sue Ferris Quintet.
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| (Photo courtesy of Peter Bevan) |
Earlier in the week across town at the Forum Music Centre on Borough Road, Abbie Finn linked up with Rick Laughlin and co to play Acoustic Infusion's regular monthly gig. A busy girl is wor Abbie! Russell
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