The Central Bar Quintet play Joe Henderson's Page One + Jam Session @ the Central Bar, Gateshead - April 11

Pete Tanton (trumpet); Jamie Toms (tenor sax); Alan Law (piano); Mick Shoulder (bass); John Bradford (drums)

The latest in the monthly Blue Note album recreation sessions at the Central Bar was based around Joe Henderson's Page One. It was the tenor saxist's debut Blue Note album and produced a couple of jazz standards in the form of Blue Bossa and Recorda Me that have become almost a rite of passage at every jam session south of the north pole.

This was, subsequently, the album's strength and its weakness inasmuch as it now gives the listener the comfort of familiarity alongside the feeling of 'Oh no, not that one again!' However, Kenny Dorham who composed both pieces probably didn't think they'd outlive him and tonight's band could only play the hand that they were dealt with.

The dirge-like La Mesha did nothing to lift the spirits but, then again, nor did the original so they were in good company. However, the romping Homestretch put things back on an even keel and at last the band began to unleash its full potential. Toms and Tanton gelled to get the classic 2 horns/3 rhythm sound that typified the hard bop sound of the era with Law, Shoulder and Bradford powering them on like a Man City back three.

'Bruce the Hat' - an elusive figure who hovers around the fringes of the jazz scene - remarked that he considered Alan Law to be a gorgeous player and I doubt if there would be anyone in the room who disagreed. By the time we reached Recorda Me, Blue Bossa having been dispensed earlier, the momentum  continued and, via Jinrishka, the set closed with Out of the Night a driving bluesy theme that kicked the door down.

The final hour's jam session had optimistically made it free entry in the hope that the blowers would be queueing around the block to sit in. This wasn't the case and it was left to a stickman and a plucker to join Shoulder and Law.

Simeon Lewis and Giles Strong were the two in question and, although Lewis was, to me, an unknown he did enough behind the kit to guarantee he will make his mark on the scene. Strong, on the other hand is one of the recognised guitar aces around the north east and it was good to hear him again.

Alone Together and I Love You impressed before the horns returned for Four, Lullaby of Birdland and You'd be so Nice to Come home to.

An enjoyable albeit uneven session that deserves more support. Watch this space for news of the next excavation of the Blue Note vaults - Lance