Jacob Egglestone's Final Recital @ Newcastle University - May 12

Jacob Egglestone (guitar); Jamie Watkins (bass guitar); Bailey Rudd (drums, percussion); Katrina Miller (vocals); ? (keyboards); NUJO horn section; ? (drums)

An eleven o'clock start, everyone on time, Jacob Egglestone presented his Newcastle University Final Recital to an enthusiastic King's Hall audience. Our examinee opened with a measured, finger-style rendition of Danny Boy with a London Bridge is Falling Down coda. Playing what looked like a Stratocaster, this was a confident start. Two other guitars were on standby, in due course they too would be utilised to great effect. 

Katrina Miller joined Jacob to sing Moonlight in Vermont, no doubt the examiners were assessing our man's abilities as an accompanist. So far, so good. Sonny Rollins' St Thomas featured Jacob and fellow student, bassist Jamie Watkins in an on-the-spot exchange. By the time drummer Bailey Rudd joined the party we were in Bird territory with a 'rhythm changes' Indiana. 

There was more to come. Now working with a nine piece band (including four horns from the Newcastle University Jazz Orchestra), Jacob seemed happy enough soloing, comping, introducing pedal effects, generally bossing the show, riffing on Pat Metheny and closing out his recital with Black Bird. Whatever direction Jacob takes as a graduate, he won't be short of engagements, that's for sure. Catch Jacob next week (Tuesday 16th) at the Black Swan jam session (Newcastle Arts Centre). Russell