Black Swan Jam - June 14

Murray Wankling (piano); Paul Grainger (bass); John Bradford (drums) + Paul Gowland (alto sax); John Rowland (tenor sax); Edgar Bell (cornet); Chris Finney, Michael Mather (drums); Jan Spencelayh, Niffi Osiyemi, Ian Dreever, Kai Moriarty, Patrick Cromb (vocals)

The trio got things underway with Beautiful Love, Have You Met Miss Jones? and In a Sentimental Mood. This was Murray's first official appearance as part of the house trio having been given the position after many impressive sit-ins at previous jams. He did good.

A couple of sax players who have been off the scene for a while showed up. John Rowland blew on A Night in Tunisia as well as on my second favourite Ellington tune (the first having already been played) Sophisticated Lady. Paul Gowland opened his innings with a Jonny Bairstow-like attack on I Hear a Rhapsody followed by an aborted If I Loved You and I Cover the Waterfront. With Chris Finney on drums, Paul's Conn underslung alto sounded as good as ever.

In between, the always impressive Jan sang My Funny Valentine and My Baby Just Cares For me. Sensitive and restrained, she hushed the room.

Less restrained in both voice and attire was Niffi who belted out Do Nothing Till You Hear From me. John returned on tenor and the pair took Get Happy to the cleaners.

A brief interval before the pack was reshuffled with the horns blowing like crazy on Tenor Madness. Ed Bell  had a Harmon mute in his cornet á la Miles which suggested that this is his true forté. He did ok.

The action moved from Caesar's Palace to the Black Swan via Coxlodge Club with Ian Dreever, resident on Wednesdays at the latter venue, taking on Tony and Frank with The Good Life and The Lady is a Tramp.

Kai Moriarty kept Sinatra in the frame with It's Always You and Patrick Cromb did likewise with Strangers in the Night after opening with Ain't Misbehavin'.

Even though I missed the great amen it had been a good night - Lance