Jam Session @ The Black Swan - Nov. 9

(Pic by Pam)

 In the absence of our esteemed editor, we two took it upon ourselves to produce a written and photographic account of the Jam Session at the Black Swan. We got off to a bad start by arriving at 8pm for a 7.30pm kick off, thus missing the trio set by the night's House Band: Alan Law (keys); Paul Grainger (double bass); and John Bradford (drums). Having got well and truly into the swing of Alan and John's playing just the night before with the Stuart Fowler Quintet at Gateshead's Central Bar, we hit the ground running as Paul invited vocalist Jan Spencelayh up on stage to deliver Angel Eyes and Bye Bye Blackbird.

Alan Law was the first to take a break, making way for Alex Ord's rendering of The More I See You. With Alan back on keys and Jacob on guitar, the second of the evening's  several vocalists made his appearance - Andy Lawrenson doubling on violin and assuring us that You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To.

(Pics by Pam)

Andy then retreated back into the audience, to be replaced by the night's first horn-player, Esther on alto sax and the third of the evening's vocalists, Niffi Osiyemi Niffy told us in no uncertain terms that It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing and finished her spot with an equally emphatic Alright, OK, You Win.

While two of the House Band were sent off by Paul Grainger for a lie down following Niffi's spot, Lawrence Harrison got set up in place of Jacob on guitar, Michael Mather took over the drum stool and Isaac Wilson got settled behind Alan's Nord. With Esther still on alto they played first, Maiden Voyage, following up with Mr.P.C.

Personnel changes were coming fast and furious now. For the next couple of tunes Alan Law was back at the keyboard with a new guitarist, Joe Steels, and a drummer, Chris. Also our second horn of the night and fourth vocalist, Jim McBriarty on clarinet and Lady Be Good

Over the next three numbers a new guitarist joined the fray, Jimi Savage, and on the first Andy Lawrenson sat-in mid-tune. On the second, a young male vocalist (the evening's fifth) sang what we believe to have been a Portuguese number, while on the third he gave us Bill Withers and Grover Washington's Just The Two Of Us.

Still ringing the changes right up to nearly home time, on the next tune, Paul on bass brought in Charles Harrison on guitar and Tom on drums alongside Jim McBriarty on clarinet and Alan Law on keys to accompany Jan Spencelayh's (?) take on Cheek To Cheek.

The last tune-but-one featured Niffy's version of  The Darktown Strutter's Ball and we were sent out into night - town Newcastle - by Caravan performed by Jim McBriarty (clarinet), Esther (clarinet), Andy Lawrenson (violin), Charles Harrison (guitar), Tom (drums), Paul Grainger (double bass), Alan Law (keys).

A very enjoyable night. No shortage of accomplished guitarists, drummers and vocalists that's for sure. Where were all the horn players tonight we wondered? Ditto you bass players to give Paul Grainger a break.

Pam & Dave