Charles Harrison (guitar); John Pope (double bass); Paul Wight (drums) + (more or less in order of appearance) Laurence Harrison (guitar); Edgar Ho (piano); Sam Toulson (alto sax); Oscar Ho (double bass); David Gray (trombone, vocals); Michael Mather (drums); Mike (lap steel guitar); Harry Toulson (alto sax); Isaac Wilson (piano); Edgar Bell (cornet); Josh Mitchell-Rayner (piano); Stan Woodward (bass guitar); ? (drums); Kit Giroux (vocals).
It began Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise. A first time house trio comprising Charles Harrison, John Pope and Paul 'Sid' Wight opened sedately as the audience slowly, but surely, made its way down into the Black Swan cellar bar. Stella by Starlight, I Remember You, the foundation set for the evening. This being the end of term, most, if not all, student participants were conspicuous by their absence. However, it's a game of 'swings and roundabouts', the departed students were amply compensated by the return of two or three London-based music students, home 'up north' for a short break. 
Lap steel guitar isn't heard too often at a jam session. Come to think of it, has it ever been heard at a Jazz Cafe/Black Swan session? Thanks to Mike, albeit under-amplified, we heard some lap steel. Better still, a lap steel take on Naima! You couldn't make it up! The Knats' boys arrived, well, two of them at least. Pianist Josh Mitchell-Rayner and ace Jaco/Stanley funkmeister Stan Woodward, joined by keen cornet man Edgar Bell, Michael Mather spelling Sid and Showtime stoked it up on Milestones. Charles Harrison's brother Laurence, an equally fine guitarist, joined the party as Footprints received more of the Knats' treatment, these guys aren't short on chops! 
The twenteen crew must have suddenly felt like veterans when Isaac Wilson, all of fifteen, perhaps sixteen, occupied the piano stool. What a great player this lad is! Let's hope he keeps on turning up at the Black Swan. And then, seemingly the sole Newcastle University student in the house, Kit Giroux got up to sing James Shelton's Lilac Wine. Elkie Brooks had a huge hit with the number, however, Kit's reference point was Jeff Buckley's version. Those who were regular jam session attendees at the old Jazz Caff around the corner will never forget the occasion Nishla Smith silenced the room with her spell-binding take on Don't Explain. It won Smith a standing ovation. This evening Kit Giroux produced an amazing, impassioned performance. To coin a phrase, you could hear a pin drop, until an outbreak of thunderous applause.
The next Black Swan jam session (April 19) house trio features another Harrison, the one-and-only James Harrison. Our pianist will be joined by the Main Man, bassist Paul Grainger, and Harrison's old mate, drummer Tom Chapman. Who else turns up is anyone's guess. And that's the beauty of these sessions, dare you miss out?! Russell
3 comments :
Sounds like (yet another) great night. Thanks for writing the review Russell. I know that positive comments/reports on the highlights of these sessions encourage players and listeners alike to come along to the Jam.
Once slight amendment - James H and Tom C have had to pull out of the next jam on the 19th, as they have a panto/theatre related awards event in London (on no, they haven't!; oh yes they have!). I'm lucky that I've been able to dip into the pool of local talent and arrange to be joined instead by the magnificent pairing of Mark Williams on guitar and Tim Johnston on drums. Hope to see you there.
I would love to see Alan law as a regular keyboard player for the house trio jam sessions, its now two jam sessions in a row without that vital keyboard that sets the mood just right,also I feel without the above, you don't encourage singers like Jan to attend
I would love to see Alan Law as a regular keyboard player for the house trio jam sessions, it's now two jam sessions in a row without that vital keyboard that sets the mood just right,also I feel without the above, you don't encourage singers like Jan to attend.
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