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| (© Roly Veitch) |
Zoë Gilby (vocals); Mark Williams (guitar); Andy Champion (double bass)
An APPJAG winner flanked by two of Britain's finest musicians can mean only one thing...an ace gig! The All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group's 'Best Vocalist' award for 2019 went to Tynesider Zoë Gilby. To those on the ground who knew about Zoë's capabilities, her triumph came as little surprise. Jazz club and festival appearances have helped maintain Zoë's high profile but our Cullercoats lass hasn't forgotten her roots. As graceful and gracious as always, our APPJAG winner was only too pleased to make a return visit to Blaydon Jazz Club.
On a cold, dark Monday evening in November, with the counter attraction of a World Cup football match on tv, Blaydon's faithful turned out - good on 'em! Zoë's set list embraced standards, popular songs and a raft of original compositions. The Black Bull's audience enjoyed the up-close proximity to the on-stage musicians - Zoë, guitarist Mark Williams and bassist Andy Champion. From No More Blues through to A Song for You, this was one impeccable performance. Mindful of name-checking composers, Zoë sang numbers from her Aurora project (writing lyrics to some of Tom Harrell's compositions, including Shadowed in Solitude, a reworking of Moon Alley), Joni Mitchell (The Dry Cleaner from Des Moines), Nick Cave's Red Right Hand (Zoë in menacing form!) to yet another wonderful, evocative rendition of The Midnight Bell.
And what of Messrs Williams and Champion? Quite simply, there's none finer. Guitarist Williams makes it look so easy, a consummate musician. Andy Champion, the man is well-named. Simply imperious. Thanks to Zoë, Mark and Andy for a night of top class jazz right here in Blaydon.
Set list: No More Blues; In It Together; Shadowed in Solitude; Leap to the Limelight; A Momentary Place of Peace; The Dry Cleaner from Des Moines; Red Right Hand; Way Down in the Hole; Midnight Bell; Half Way to Heaven; Rhythm-a-ning; Secret Love; A Song for You.
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