Jam Session @ the Black Swan - Sept. 20

Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (bass); Rob Walker (drums) + Haaruun Miller (alto/sop sax); Esther Coombes (alto sax); Edgar  Bell (Cornet); Nigel Greenwood (flugel); David Gray (trombone/trumpet/vocals); Jacob Egglestone (guitar); Alon Dagon (piano); Kris Finney, Felix Parkin-Christie (drums); Ian Drever, Sheila Herrick (vocals).

The house trio got the show on the road with a bluesy number followed by I Only Have Eyes For You and All the Things You Are both with delightful out of tempo intros by Alan Law.

First of the jammers to take the plunge was Haaruun who did some Bird watching in the form of Ornithology. For Someday my Prince Will Come he went from alto to soprano. Just as the latter tune was approaching the finale up jumped Ed Bell - no shrinking violet he - to cause some confusion. In fact this was an evening where confusion reigned but, that is the charm of a jam - the sound of surprise. Without it, it would be just another gig!

That travelling troubadour from Hoboken via Coxlodge, Ian Drever, found himself grounded before take off on Come Fly With me but found his wings to fly Over the Rainbow and All the Way. 

Kris Finney took over the kit and that fine young guitarist Jacob Egglestone played Emily. Esther was invited to join the band for Beautiful Love. They  started off without her but she caught up with them and rattled off a fine solo. Leading from the front on Mr PC she sounded good. Haaruun decided he also wanted some of the action leading to more confusion.

In the absence of there being a bevy of bass players in the house Mr PG called a break and glasses were recharged.

Suitably refreshed, phones were belatedly silenced and a switcheroo pulled on stage with Felix now on kit and Alon Dagon on keys. The new arrivals got a good groove going on Cantaloupe Island inspiring Nigel Greenwood to join the party. Last session he played alto sax this time it was flugelhorn - truly a multi-instrumentalist. The downside was he took up a position that completely obscured my view and his opening blast almost perforated my eardrums!

I moved my chair.

This I Dig of You and Samba de Orfeu followed with 'Showtime' adding his trombone to the Black Orpheus tune. David later played trumpet.

Sheila sang Sweet Georgia Brown at which point I left. This was no reflection on Sheila who always chooses good songs but because of a domestic situation I was concerned about at home.

Next jam session is on Oct. 4 - not to be missed. Lance