Greg Abate and Daryl Sherman at Wilmslow Conservative Club - Nov. 9

Greg Abate (alto sax, flute); Daryl Sherman (vocals, keys); Andy Peate (trumpet, flugel); Dave Luckhurst (bass, keys)

Last night I attended an interesting event in Wilmslow at a venue that has, for some time, featured weekly jazz sessions under the title Wilmslow Tuesday Jazz And Swing.  Graham Brook is the experienced promoter who makes these things happen and, for over ten years, he has presented many outstanding UK and International jazz artists plus providing a platform for up and coming talent. At one time these gigs took place on Monday nights but now they occur on Tuesday nights with a new starting time of 8pm from, as of next week (Nov. 16). Admission charge is £10 (cash only).

Greg and Daryl a.k.a. The Woonsocket two as Graham likes to call them, are former high school classmates back in the States and it was great to see them enjoying a reunion gig here in the UK and their selection of tunes included a few Ellington /Strayhorn items, some well known standards plus the occasional show tune such as Night and Day which Darryl used to play many times at New York's famous Algonquin Hotel as well as the Waldorf Astoria.

The opening number Autumn Leaves featured Birmingham brassman Andy Peate in duo with Dave Luckhurst playing his Roland keyboard followed by Satin Doll. By the way, this was a drummerless gig but the groove was there! I liked the bop quotes that Andy cleverly inserted into his solos on these tunes.

Then it was time for Daryl and Greg to be featured and with Daryl on keyboard and vocals Dave reverting to bass duties and Greg playing soulful alto sax and flute, the sound filled the room. This is another place with good acoustics. They were occasionally joined by Andy on flugelhorn and everyone excelled on Girl From Ipanema, always a good blowing vehicle. 

Talking to Greg and Daryl after the gig they both seemed very pleased with the way things went and I have a feeling they may do another re-union gig. Next year maybe? Mike Farmer.

More info re jazz at Wilmslow can be found on www.grahambrookjazz.co.uk

 

Autumn Leaves Satin Doll; You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To; Night and Day; I'm Just a Lucky So and So; Secret Love; Give me a Kiss to Build A Dream On; Days of Wine and Roses; Girl from Ipanema; Jumping With Symphony Sid; In a Mellow Tone; Skylark’ I Was Doing Alright; S’Wonderful’