Abbie Finn’s Finntet + Zoë Gilby with Andy Champion @ Bobiks - April 7

(© Ken Drew)

Abbie Finn’s Finntet: Graham Hardy (trumpet/flugel); Harry Keeble (tenor sax); Dean Stockdale (keys); Paul Grainger (bass); Abbie Finn (drums)

The first day of a two day Easter weekender promoted by Jazz North East featuring local musicians and bands.   

Abbie Finn has been in the music news a lot recently, and the Finntet is one of her two current projects. First is the Abbie Finn Trio with Harry Keeble on tenor saxophone and Paul Grainger on double bass and the second is the Finntet as listed above. 

The Finntet covered a broad range of styles from across the decades. Dat Dere from the 1960s through to her own compositions Big Old Spice Cabinet and Delilah Mirador de los Poleos (both taken from her latest CD) via other well known jazz compositions  Dear Johnny B and  Little Joanie Walks.  The audience demanded more, so a short version of Swinging at the Haven was pulled out of the hat to send the audience happily on its way.  Each tune gave members of the band a chance to step up and show off their excellent musical credentials. 

The very energetic hour of music was received very enthusiastically by a sell-out audience. Judging by the follow-up comments on Facebook it was well remembered as a great performance and a great night of straight ahead jazz (and more besides). And most likely with lasting memories of a good jazz night out in Jesmond.

 

(© Ken Drew)

The Finntet was preceded by the well known (both locally and nationally) duo of Zoë Gilby and Andy Champion. Those who follow them may recall a memorable, and possibly unique performance, by them in January 2019 – the first performance of a new series,  instigated by the Ouseburn Trust, named ‘Sounds of the Underground’ in the Victorian Tunnel in Ouseburn.  Their performance then was well practised and well received despite the confined conditions, proof of their adaptability.  Since then, Zoë has travelled widely with her trio and quartet, both expanding and finely honing her band’s repertoire, capturing the hearts of those who venture out to see them. 

Tonight, we saw and heard ‘just’ the duo, and what an absolutely perfect performance it was.  Zoë’s vocals were on top form and the bass was a delight to hear, and indeed watch.  Andy doesn’t just accompany the vocals, he also has short solo excursions showing just what the bass (and the bass player) can do.  The repertoire itself was typically diverse, ranging from Graceland, Weaver of Dreams,  Money (with inbuilt vocal scat/commentary by Zoe), I've Got Rhythm, Suzanne Vega’s  Night Moves, Red Right Hand (with a perfect bass backdrop – cool, edgy and threatening),  ending with the nicely chosen Goodbye Pork Pie Hat, like the others, was sung with feeling and conviction. And of course the audience loved it. A wonderful contrasting  opener for the evening’s jazz session. Ken Drew