Alan Barnes w. Paul Hartley Trio + Al Wood @ the Railway, Stockport -March 20

Alan Barnes (alto sax/clarinet); Paul Hartley (guitar); Ken Marley (bass); Dave Hassell (drums) + Al Wood (alto sax).

Having arrived early to make sure of getting a good seat I was surprised to find the room already half full and by the time 9:00pm came along it was standing room only. I noticed a change in the original line-up with, on drums, Dave Hassell as a replacement for Eryl Roberts. Dave is well known as a drummer, educator and Latin percussionist who also leads his own band called Apitos.

During his opening announcement Alan mentioned that there were quite a few musicians in the audience  and he would be inviting one of them to join him on a few tunes. This person turned out to be Yorkshire based multi-instrumentalist Al Wood who I remember being a member of Maynard Ferguson’s UK band and who I also saw leading his own big band at the Seven Arts Centre. He also was in Ken Marley’s quartet when I heard Ken’s Tribute to Benny Carter at Woodhouses WMC, Failsworth a few years ago.

Alan opened the concert with the tune Suddenly it’s Spring on alto which was his choice of horn throughout the evening, the only time he played clarinet was on the Jobim number Triste which was given the bossa nova treatment.  After the forth number of the first set Al Wood joined the band for an up tempo Just Friends and a lively rendition of the Sonny Rollins theme Oleo. 

After the break, Alan played two more numbers then again called on Al Wood to join him on the final three tunes and the encounter was well received by the audience. I do hope Mr Wood plays this venue again as this is what the world needs right now and it would be great for him to bring his trumpet with him. 

As an encore the band played that great Clifford Brown tune Joy Spring and both altos left everyone in a good mood.

Next 'Jazz at the Railway' is on March 22 with Paul Hartley’s Quartet featuring Julian Gregory - Mike Farmer (photos  © Jeff Pritchard).

 

Suddenly it's Spring; You’d be so Nice to Come Home to; Triste; Spring is Here; Just Friends Oleo; I’m Old Fashioned; Darn That Dream; I Love You; Blues in the Closet; Joy Spring.