The Black Swan jam session - Nov.15

Stu Collingwood (piano, vocals); Paul Grainger (double bass); Sid White (drums, vocals) + in something like order of appearance: Ian Drever (vocals); Thomas ? (trombone); Kris Finney (drums); Edgar Bell (trumpet); Ben Phillips (piano); Michael Mather (drums); Haaruun Miller (alto sax, soprano sax); Niffi Osiyemi (vocals); Ray Burns (harmonica); Tom ? (drums); Alice Grace (vocals); Jacob Egglestone (guitar); Esther Coombes (clarinet); Dan Potter (drums)

No two Black Swan jam sessions are alike. Some weeks there is a surfeit of horns players, some weeks half a dozen guitarists show up, occasionally, familiar faces you assume will sit-in don't turn up and, invariably, the Main Man, Paul Grainger scans all four corners in the vain hope that a bass player will be in the house. This evening the big surprise was the relatively sparse turn out of punters. Whatever the weather - literally and metaphorically - the show must go on, and go on it did.

Stu Collingwood, Paul Grainger and southpaw Sid White got things under way with three or four numbers, one of which produced a first. Three numbers in, Stu sang I Thought About You. A vocal before the floor was open to all comers! The first of them, Mr Ian Drever, belted out, as only he can, You Make Me Feel So Young. Follow that! Trombonist Thomas (note to self - next time ask Thomas what his surname is) got up, good on him, to play Misty (guided by maestro Collingwood). Two of the jam session's keenest supporters, invariably they're first through the door, got the nod from the Main Man. As Kris Finney changed round Sid's southpaw set up, Edgar Bell called All of Me. Let's call our trumpeter the 'inimitable' Edgar Bell.

Ah! Ben Phillips was in the house. A friendly 'Hello Ben' from Stu (the piano players' union), as Ben (pictured) played Stella by Starlight in a nice trio with the Main Man and Kris F, Stu went to the bar. Blue Bossa with trombonist Thomas returning, things were hotting up. The absence of a bass player prompted the Main Man to announce a short break. As glasses were being recharged Stu played something for his own enjoyment (some in the audience were listening!). Unobtrusively, Michael Mather made it a piano-drums duo. An impromptu moment, it's what jam sessions are all about. 

Recharged, Haaruun Miller, wielding alto and soprano saxophones, took on Coltrane's take on My Favorite Things. Brave? Foolish? Tick as applicable. Undaunted, Miller ploughed on with Nica's Dream which produced a good solo from a revitalised Mr P Grainger. Niffi Osiyemi joined the party to laugh along with Christopher Columbus (which included a brief chorus from Ray Burns).* Late in the day (evening) the cavalry arrived in the form of ace guitarist Jacob Egglestone and clarinetist Esther Coombes. Our ever-welcome students handed a note to the Main Man - Sorry Paul, we've been to a band practice. As excuses go, it's one of the better ones. 

Did I see Alice Grace? asked Paul. Just when you were thinking it couldn't get any better! Alice (pictured) sang a couple including Bye Bye Blackbird (More! More! hollered the on-side crowd). What's more, a newbie drummer from County Durham sat-in. Dan Potter is the name (see photo), an excellent addition to the Black Swan jam session, be sure to check him out. It was dizzy o'clock as Southpaw White sang Pennies from Heaven, then all and sundry got up, going out out on the usual bop mayhem. A date for the diary - the next jam session will be on Tuesday 29 November (7:30pm, free admission, cheap at half the price!). 

* Niffi Osiyemi will be gigging with her trio in Hexham next month (Dec 2) at the Vault on Hallgate, two minutes' walk from Hexham Abbey and little more than five minutes from the railway station. Russell