Knats + Hand to Mouth @ GCT - Oct 1

Ferg Kilsby (trumpet); Josh Mitchell-Rayner (keyboards); Stan Woodward (bass); King David Ike-Elechi (drums)

Festival gigs across town, gigs here, there and everywhere, including a non-festival, somewhat under-the-radar free admission double bill at Gosforth Civic Theatre. Situated just off Gosforth High Street in Newcastle, GCT presents an array of cultural events and on this Friday evening a large crowd gathered to hear two contrasting sets. 

Knats' recent emergence, seemingly out of nowhere, is one of the good news stories in these pandemic times. Four teeenagers - trumpet, keyboards, bass and drums - playing an approximation of seventies' jazz rock charts (much of it original material) alongside numbers by the likes of Roy Ayers and Kendrick Lamar, demonstrated a remarkably high level of ability. Song titles were largely absent from front man Stan Woodward's introductions, no matter, it's the music that mattered. 

Shrouded in clouds of dry ice, Ferg Kilsby, all of sixteen, blew loud, reverb-heavy trumpet. The fourteen/fifteen year old Ferg cut a shy, timid figure when first sitting in at jam sessions with the big boys and girls. Here at GCT the sixteen year old veteran played without fear. Tremendous! On the opposite side of the stage, pianist Josh Mitchell-Rayner supplied all the chords and more, frequent eye contact with his band mates confirming they were as one. The rhythm boys - bassist Stan Woodward and drummer King David Ike-Elechi - hit on a groove and didn't let up all night. 

Hand to Mouth: Lindsay Hannon (vocals); Bradley Johnston (guitar)

Earlier, Hand to Mouth gave another concert masterclass in the art of intimate, duo performance. Vocalist Lindsay Hannon and guitarist Bradley Johnston revisited their Ella Fitzgerald-Joe Pass set. From first note to last, it would prove to be an absolute joy to listen to. The Very Thought of You - wow! Ella and Joe live! Dindi, Ellington's All Too Soon (lyrics Carl Sigman), a wonderful verse intro to Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered, Hand to Mouth were on top form. 

Some other Time sang Lindsay, I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues asserted Lindsay. Yes, indeed! Hand to Mouth should tour, they should play festivals. And wouldn't it be great if they recorded an album?!  Russell