Tonight we had a welcome return visit from reeds man Frank Griffith. Originally from Oregon, USA, but now resident in the Liverpool area after many years playing and teaching around London.
The band tonight included Misha Gray, a fine pianist who I can recall hearing only once on Frank's first visit to this venue. He can be added to the list of pianists that prefer to use the house upright rather than bring their own to the gig. Misha displayed a high energy style and his solos made me want to hear more of him.
On drums was an old friend, Gaz Hughes, who I had not seen for quite a while and he sounded as good as ever and pleased to be back in action after a year of uncertainty. Gavin Barras on bass is always a joy to hear and he always produces interesting solos.
Frank started the evening with Topsy a tune I remember being a big hit for swing era drummer Cosy Cole and later was used to great effect by Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh. The second number was a clarinet feature, I’m Getting Sentimental Over You, and Griffith’s sound had a more modern approach than say Goodman, more like DeFranco or Art Pepper. Also in the first set he played a Mexican tune Tres Palabras (I hope I heard the title correctly). This had a bolero beat which went down well with the assembled jazz fans.
The whole evening was very enjoyable with the rest of the tunes maintaining my interest and Where or When being one that I thought was a really good rendition.
On Tuesday Jan. 11 the Railway has the John Hallam Quartet. Mike Farmer
Topsy; I’m Getting Sentimental Over You; Tres Palabras; Scrapple From the Apple; Nuages; C Jam Blues; Where or When; Pure Imagination; Take the A Train; Body and Soul; C Jam Blues part 2.
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