The pandemic played its part in severely curtailing Sage Gateshead's many music education programmes. At this late afternoon public performance on the concourse, MD Jason Holcomb was keen to stress Jambone is a work in progress as he seeks to rebuild the youth jazz ensemble's numbers. Depleted sections can't make it easy to achieve a full big band sound, it'll take time to fill the vacant chairs. Undeterred, our amiable American exhibited great enthusiasm as he encouraged and cajoled a performance out of his young charges.
Go Daddy-O opened the half hour performance with Holcomb name-checking soloists by first name only - Euan (sax), George (guitar), James (trumpet). Caravan heard from Joseph, the second of three trumpeters. The JB Horns' Pass the Peas funked it up, all chipping in with improvised solos. Earlier in the day MD Holcomb presented the ensemble with a new tune to look at - Blues in Hoss' Flat featuring Ferg (trumpet) and pianist Isaac. The ensemble made a good job of it. To bulk out the sections, Holcomb drafted in a couple of Newcastle University students, Charis (trombone) and vocalist Sienna, the latter singing God Bless the Child in the less than ideal acoustics on the riverfront concourse.
Holcomb reckoned all present would recognise When the Saints Go Marching In. He reckoned right, it was, he said, a slightly late contribution to the recent Mardi Gras celebrations over in the Big Easy. A little over half an hour's worth of music, Jambone signed off with Bye Bye Blackbird. The band's next public performance on the concourse will be on Saturday 9 April, five o'clock start. Russell
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