St. Cuthbert’s Feast: Jo Harrop and Jamie McCredie @ St. Cuthbert’s Centre, Crook - August 19

(© Jerry E)

Owing to Covid restrictions and periods of exile (voluntary or enforced) I have not been to many live jazz gigs since early in 2020. Tonight’s gig could not have been a better choice to get back into the swing: one of my favourite singers at one of my favourite venues. It was, in the words of the opening number, So Nice to Come Home to.

The reality more than lived up to the expectation: St. Cuthbert’s, Crook, has some of the friendliest regulars anywhere in Bebop-land, not to mention crisps, nuts and candles on every table and pizzas and a raffle at half-time. Meanwhile Jo and Jamie, both on top form, served up two sets of infinite variety to the delight of a packed and attentive crowd.

(© Jerry E)

That’s “variety” as in: styles, composers, performers, arrangements and tempos. In 18 numbers plus an encore, there was nothing repetitive and, bear in mind, not one of those 19 tunes had featured earlier in the day at the Lit & Phil. The review for that gig mentioned Jo’s vocal range (which is indeed remarkable) but also striking is the range of performers whose work she not only performs but makes her own, from squeaky-clean Doris Day to down and dirty Bessie Smith (via Nina Simone, I think, but no less earthy for that)!

Peggy Lee was in there too, and Ella and Lady Day: Jo can do the whole range. There were slow ballads,  show-tunes, “funky versions” (Jo’s words) of GASbook standards, Jobim’s Brazilian rhythms, and very up-tempo versions like I Love Being Here With You delivered at such a lick we could hardly keep up! There were composers from Cole Porter and Ellington to Tom Waits whose Rainbow Sleeves was one of the evening’s highlights.

(© Jerry E)

The common denominator in all this was the quality of the two performers. Many BSH readers will know Jo Harrop and the quality she brings to any event but if, like me, they have not seen Jamie McCredie live, they have missed a treat and should see him at the earliest possible opportunity! He and Jo seem almost telepathic at times enabling seamless performances where each contributes to the story-telling. His solos were at once intricate and beguiling: at times so rapid that you couldn’t help tapping your feet; at other times so melodic and soothing that they seemed as laid back as Jamie himself. His dexterity is such that, however hard I (non-musician) tried to focus on his hands and their movement, I was still left wondering “How did he do that?”

For future reference, Jo has a new album due out this autumn – definitely one to look out for. Meanwhile, Crook has some treats lined up between now and the new year with Abbie Finn (Sept. 16), Paul Edis/Vasilis Xenopoulos  (Oct. 15) and Jazzy Christmas (Dec. 16). Put me down for all of that! Jerry

You'd be so Nice to Come Home to; Tenderly; You Don’t Know What Love Is; On the Street Where You Live; What a Little Moonlight Can Do; Sophisticated Lady; I Want Some Sugar in My Bowl; Rainbow Sleeves; Fine and Mellow; Easy to Love; Once I Loved; Secret Love; Too Late Now; What a Difference a Day Makes; My Foolish Heart; I Love Being Here With You; I Think You’d Better Go; Guilty; Too Close for Comfort.