Another excellent Sunday evening at the Railway and, in spite of all the news about fuel shortages etc, the modern jazz fans were out in force to hear what Mike Hall had to offer.
He brought with him tonight that superb pianist Richard Wetherall who after a few adjustments to the house upright joined Mike, Ed and Eryl on the opening number a blistering version of Cole Porter’s Love For Sale. This was followed by the ballad You’ve Changed and by this time the room was full of both regulars and the occasional newcomer.
I liked Mike’s choice of numbers, a mixture of standards, bop tunes, and lesser known originals such as Ambleside composed by UK pianist John Taylor and Sonora from the pen of Hampton Hawes one of the great legends of West Coast be-bop. Mike introduced Sonora with some informative words concerning the trials and tribulations that befell Hawes and then played an interesting solo on his soprano. I was lucky enough to see Hampton Hawes at the Chat Qui Peche once and they led me to a seat right behind his piano. His book Raise Up Of Me is a great read if you can find a copy.
Looking back at the gig, I would describe it as a roaring success and one that could be in contention for best gig this year although for half of this year the venue had no jazz events due to Covid restrictions.
On Tuesday Sept 28 the Railway features guitarist Paul Hartley’s Quartet with guest Phil Nicholas on trumpet - Mike Farmer
Love For Sale; You’ve Changed; Sonora; Groovin’ High; Ambleside; Nostalgia In Times Square; Shiny Stockings; If You Could See me
Now; This I Dig Of You; Superwoman; Just In Time.
No comments :
Post a Comment