Ruth Lambert Quartet @ Blaydon Jazz Club - April 18

(© R. Veitch)

Ruth Lambert (vocals); Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums) + David Gray (trombone)

Easter Monday. Would the public holiday entice a few more gig-goers to venture out or would it have the opposite effect? In truth, the numbers were about the same as of late, perhaps one or two of the regulars didn't show, however, their absence was compensated for by the welcome presence of some new faces. Ruth Lambert is no stranger to Blaydon Jazz Club and this evening our GASbook singer par excellence arrived with her now settled line-up featuring pianist Alan Law, bassist Paul Grainger and drummer Tim Johnston. Later in the evening one of Tyneside's A-listers would join the quartet to help close out the second set. 

Someone once said something along the lines of: Ella could swing the phone book. The very same observation could be applied to Ruth Lambert. From the opening bars of You and the Night and the Music, Ruth couldn't do anything other than swing it. Skylark and Black Coffee have long since been in our vocalist's repertoire; contrasting tunes, poles apart emotionally and stylistically, both magical in the hands, rather, vocal chords, of this evening's star guest. To close a superb first set, Ruth asked what we wanted to hear - a 'misery' number or something a little more upbeat? Misery cried one of Blaydon Jazz Club's loyal supporters. So, 'misery' won out, Angel Eyes taking us up to the break. 

(© R. Veitch)

Second set, Alan Law's deft, light-of-touch piano playing brought in No Moon at All, Tim Johnston wisely using brushes on a round of fours. But Beautiful silenced the room, as Ruth gave a masterclass in the art of intimate, up close jazz singing. At its conclusion, Ruth said the song (written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke) came from one of the Road to...movies. Your correspondent, nor others, was able to name the film. Morning-after-the-night-before research revealed/reminded us: it was sung by Bing Crosby in The Road to Rio.

(© R. Veitch)

David Gray was in the house, having a night out. Ruth suggested Showtime join the quartet on a few numbers. Living near by, DG made a sharp exit to pick up his 'bone. Minutes later Ruth suggested a blues in A. Our vocalist has an affinity with the great Bonnie Raitt (and the blues), so, we got Love Me Like a Man. Superb, and, no mistake, Showtime stepped up to the plate! Ruth turned to Alan Law, saying: Follow that! Pianist Law met the challenge head on bringing in Caravan. The now quintet went with it, out into the desert and safely back again, drummer Johnston rattling the pans in time-honoured fashion. We were fast approaching the end of the evening, Ruth swinging How High the Moon as only she can, 'boneman Gray quoting Ornithology (Showtime knows his stuff!). Running slightly over time, the fabulous Ruth Lambert - and band - went out on Secret Love. 

Next month at the Black Bull, it's Mick Shoulder's Swing Manouche. Highly recommended, it's an eight o'clock start on Monday 16th. See you there. Russell