The Black Swan Takeover - March 21

They had been massing on the horizon for some time. It was only a matter of time before they would launch a raid on the Black Swan. MC Paul Grainger decided to launch a pre-emptive strike, a case of getting in your retaliation first. An invitation to three of the student ringleaders to lead this evening's jam session was accepted and here we were, surrounded by a large number of 'bright young things' eager to show what they could do. 

The student house trio - Jacob Egglestone, guitar, Jamie Watkins, bass guitar, Bailey Rudd*, drums - opened with Stella By Starlight. The students would stand their ground for half an hour and more playing a selection of classic and contemporary numbers (In a Sentimental Mood, A Night in Tunisia), Jacob playing all the chords and more, Jamie knocking out pulsating bass lines, Bailey impressing, not least in his use of brushes.

It was time to introduce the first of the sitters-in. Katrina joined the boys to sing two or three numbers, closing with Irving Berlin's timeless How Deep is the Ocean? A good start, they kept on coming down the stairs, massing at the bar. Some of the old guard arrived in a vain attempt to redress the age/experience balance. Enter Messrs Finney K, Gray D and Rowland, J. That's keen-as-mustard drummer Kris, showman par excellence, David Gray (trombone and vocals) and one-time Jazz Café habitué, old school tenor man John Rowland. Gray leapt (literally) into action, giving Herbie Hancock's Chameleon a good going over. Tremendous! It was as if to say: Okay, students, what have you got?

Home from a few years living in Bristol, one-time Early Birder Alex Shipsey picked up his bass guitar (Satin Doll, Freddie Freeloader). This was a reminder, if one was needed, that Alex has great 'time'. Welcome home! Finger-picking guitarist Liam read the charts with ease, Martha sang a couple, cornetist Edgar Bell announced his arrival in inimitable style (the modal Freddie Freeloader right up the South Tynesider's street) and then there was Claire Hall. 

Alto saxophonist Claire, for all the world a student 'fresher', first sat-in two weeks ago. It transpires Claire is a Durham University academic. What's that about police officers - and academics - looking younger by the day?! In the absence of Lee Morgan, tenor man John  Rowland tore into Moanin', Claire Hall followed on, all the while, Alex Shipsey and drummer Dan Potter holding it down. Great stuff all round! 

MC Grainger couldn't wait any longer, joining the parade on What Is This Thing Called Love?, Hall and Gray the horns, Gray singing. Haaruun Miller was in the house, prowling. Soprano sax in hand, joined by drummer Josh, the Sleep Suppressor (see Thursday's gig listings) revisited My Favorite Things (Coltrane the reference point). It was getting late, stocks of Rivet Catcher long-since exhausted, time to introduce Fionnula Bradbury. Supported by Jacob, PG and Josh, and an onside audience, Fionnula sang On the Sunny Side of the Street. A non-music student, catch Fionnula before she departs, as she inevitably will, upon graduation. 

The home straight was fast approaching, Libby sang It Don't Mean a Thing (if it ain't got that thing), trumpeter Maddie briefly blowing (Jacob contributing a fine solo), and the evening's latecomer, Alon Dagon, achieved the distinction of being the sole pianist on show. If MC Grainger is up for it, how about a future house trio spot for Alon?

And that was about it, save for the late-arriving Esther Coombes. What busy lives students lead! It was worth the wait, Esther blowing some fine clarinet. The evening ended right on time, the packed house made its way home, the Black Swan's bar staff could take a well earned breather. The next jam session is slated for Tuesday 4th April. Arrive early to claim a prime seat, down beat at seven thirty.          

         

* In his final year at Newcastle University, Bailey is busy with a research project focusing upon the 'socio-cultural ties of jazz musicians in the North East of England in relation to jam sessions'. It should make interesting reading.     

   

Jacob Egglestone (guitar); Jamie Watkins (bass guitar); Bailey Rudd (drums) + an ever-changing cast list including: Katrina (vocals); Kris Finney (drums); David Gray (trombone, vocals); John Rowland (tenor sax); Alex Shipsey (bass guitar); Liam (guitar); Martha (vocals); Claire Hall (alto sax); Dan Potter (drums); Freddie Richards (drums); Haaruun Miller (soprano sax); Josh (drums); Fionnula Bradbury (vocals); Alon Dagon (piano); Maddie (trumpet); Edgar Bell (cornet); Libby (vocals); Paul Grainger (double bass); Esther Coombes (clarinet)