Four @ The Exchange, North Shields - Dec. 1

Bernie Ranson (tenor sax, alto sax, vocals); David Herbert (piano); Harry Husaini (bass); Alan Wann (drums)

Part gig, part quiz, Four, as they're known, don't take themselves too seriously. Front man Bernie Ranson challenged the audience to guess the name of each tune. The first half dozen numbers didn't present any problems, the first person to shout out the title won a CD. A decent hand pull pint, a packet of crisps, good company, this evening was something a little different. 

Pianist David Herbert grabbed a few solos, bassist Harry Husaini and drummer Alan Wann provided steady support, but it was down to Ranson to lead the way with a series of mellow, understated solos, principally blowing tenor sax with an occasional outing on alto sax. A few vocals, too, from Ranson, including a verse to Mack the Knife sung in German!   

Your correspondent failed to identify  Art Pepper's Minor Yours. Now if BSH Editor-in-Chief LL had been present...

Four will be entertaining punters in the bar at the Exchange on Howard Street next Wednesday (Dec. 8) and again the following week before shutting up shop for the festive period. It's a seven o'clock start, free admission. 

Set list: Beatrice; Black Orpheus; Bye Bye Blackbird; I Didn't Know What Time it Was; Corcovado; Just Squeeze Me;  Minor Yours; Gone with the Wind; Tune Up; I'm Old Fashioned; Mack the Knife; Soultrane; Night and Day; Too Young to Go Steady; There Will Never be Another You.