In the shadow of the old East Stand at St James' Park (it's probably got a sponsor's name emblazoned on it, but who cares?) is Bar Loco. It's a discreet cafe bar hosting all manner of events. This evening the venue's regular folk night occupied the ground floor space, upstairs it was the return of the NUJO (Newcastle University Jazz Orchestra) jam session. Organised by students, for students, NUJO welcomes anyone and everyone, not just students, who fancies sitting-in.
The session thrives on enthusiasm - some student participants are actually music students, others are, variously, linguists, medics, scientists and the like. Invariably the place is packed out and this evening was no exception. Some familiar students faces remain, some are new faces from this year's intake of 'freshers'. Leading the session, Tom Alcorn. In previous academic years, Alcorn has impressed playing in NUJO's trumpet section and on this hearing it would appear he's spent a few hours in the lockdown woodshed. Most impressive!
An array of instrumentalists and vocalists got up to show what they could do amidst a cacophony of student banter at tables groaning under the weight of glasses empty, glasses half empty, glasses half full. The session began with bona fide jazz numbers and as the evening wore on funk and soul 'floor fillers' did what they're designed to do, fill the floor. Graduate music student James Cuxson, now a master's student in Leeds, fancied making the trip north to meet up with some of his student friends, and as he had his guitar with him, he took the opportunity to sit in. Drummer Michael Mather sat in, looking for all the world like a student, although his students days are now behind him as he forges a career as a professional musician.
NUJO at Bar Loco is very much a 'social' occasion. It's open to the public, keep an eye open for the next one. And, one or two of the students are planning to get along to Tuesday's jam session at the Black Swan in Newcastle Arts Centre. Eight o'clock start. Let's see who can cut it! Russell
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