Kirk Lightsey Quartet @ Ronnie Scott's - Sept. 22

Kirk Lightsey (piano); Alex Hitchcock (tenor sax); Steve Watts (double bass); Sangoma Everett (drums) 

The great Kirk Lightsey last appeared on Tyneside something like fifteen years ago. This engagement at Ronnie Scott's presented an opportunity to hear the now octogenarian pianist once more. One of the few bebop pianists of his generation still performing, Lightsey graciously billed his quartet's appearance as 'featuring Alex Hitchcock', a quartet including his long-time bassist Steve Watts and drummer Sangoma Everett. 

Lightsey's concert on Tyneside (at Gateshead's Caedmon Hall) with bassist Watts and drummer Dave Wickens was a blistering piano trio affair, here in Soho, the addition of a horn player had the effect of reducing Lightsey's solo excursions. That said, the Detroit born headliner seemed happy enough, his trademark smile beaming across the stage. Perhaps the sight of a contented bandleader reassured Alex Hitchcock that his contribution was being appreciated by the boss! 

Opening with Dave Brubeck's In Your Own Sweet Way, Lightsey jabbed and probed, encouraging Hitchcock to stretch out, Watts knew what was required of him as the pianist's fellow American, Sangoma Everett, propelled his bandmates to ever greater heights. A ballad feature took things down, way down, before the star of the show sprang to life with some seriously swinging piano playing. Ah, this is what Lightsey can do! An occasional, playful, forearm smash to the keyboard tickled the mischievous Lightsey, chuckling away to himself. To close a marvellous set, Kirk Lightsey went out on McCoy Tyner's Blues on the Corner. Russell