The Black Swan jam session - July 26

Stu Collingwood (piano); John Pope (double bass); Michael Mather (drums) + (in order of appearance) Nigel Greenwood (alto sax); David Gray (trombone); Martin Schultz (piano); Kris Finney (drums); Ben Davies (guitar); Esther Coombes (alto sax, clarinet); Alon Dagan (piano); ? (drums); Paul Gowland (alto sax, vocals); Edgar Bell (cornet); Kit Giroux (vocals); ? (vocals); Ian Dreever (vocals); ? (guitar); ? (vocals)

The Black Swan jam session invariably draws a crowd and a slew of big hitters. This evening the Newcastle city centre Westgate Road basement venue was up against the England versus Sweden football match on BBC TV. The house trio turned up on time (Stu Collingwood, John Pope and Michael Mather), as did the keen as mustard Edgar Bell and Kris Finney. Later in the evening the place would fill up a little and, as ever, one or two surprises made it all worthwhile. 

The usual three or four numbers to get the trio nicely warmed up then onto the first of the sitters-in. Jazz Co-op regular Nigel Greenwood (alto sax) took to the floor, soon to be joined by David Gray singing The Way You Look Tonight. Not quite Fred Astaire from the Swing Time movie, more like 'Showtime'!

Newcastle University faces arrived, including Esther Coombes, (alto sax and clarinet), guitarist Ben Davies and vocalist Kit Giroux. It's good to see them in town at this time of year, no doubt some of their student friends are currently trekking in the Himalayas or some such distant place. Paul Gowland made his usual assured alto sax contribution before surprising everyone by singing My Funny Valentine!

And then there were the pianists...first, from Germany, Martin Schultz (seen here in a blue t-shirt). Initially hesitant, JP, that's John Pope, gave our man the nod to play some more, and play some more he did. Good. And then there was Alon Dagan. Now, this guy can play! Late, very late in the evening, an acoustic guitarist accompanying a singer (the names eluded your correspondent) closed the show with The Girl from Ipanema (see photo). It's a pity there wasn't more time for them to stay on. Maybe next time (Tuesday 9 August, 7:30pm). Russell