Just Friends @ Dorman's Jazz Club Middlesbrough - Nov. 10

Ian Bosworth (guitar); Richie Emmerson (tenor sax); Dave Archbold (keys); Ron Smith (bass guitar); Mark Hawkins (drums).

After the advertised band (Calvert And The Old Fools) was unfortunately cancelled on the day due to illness Ian Bosworth managed to get Just Friends together at very short notice to play as this month's guest band.

Formed from  well known local musicians, Just Friends played to an appreciative audience that included fellow jazz musicians Dougie Pugh, Ray Dales and John Brett.

Starting the night with the well known I'm Coming Home Baby, which showed just how tight an ensemble they were, the number was further enhanced by excellent solos from Richie, Ian and Dave - not to mention the great backing from Ron on bass and Mark on drums that set the style for the night.

Stanley Turrentine's Sugar had Richie's sax taking the mood to downtown Detroit. He was also featured on the lovely ballad God Bless The Child. Then changing the mood again and with a nod to Dougie Pugh, Ian introduced the Thelonious Monk number Blue Monk the blues played with great feeling bringing the first set to a close.

Herbie Hancock's Cantaloupe Island was a nice choice to start the second set. Then a request from the audience for the lively St. Thomas was followed by another request for Nat Adderley's Work Song. The Eden Ahbez composition Nature Boy with a nice guitar intro from Ian was  followed by another request for Duke Ellington's Caravan.

The up tempo Put It Where You Want It by the Jazz Crusaders, brought the evening to a close in fine style.

Another successful guest band night enjoyed by both audience and band.

Thanks as usual go to the staff at Dorman's for their help and support with the jazz club. Ron Hampton