Michael Young Trio @ the Engine Room, Sunderland - May 15

Michael Young (piano); Paul Grainger (bass); Abbie Finn (drums)

Over the years there have been many attempts to create a jazz venue in Sunderland which, given the size of the city  (273,399 the last time I counted) seems to be not an unreasonable task when you consider that, down the road in Darlington, a place with a population of only 108,000, has two or three jazz clubs. Yet the 'Makems' have yet to mak 'em work for any length of time.

However, the recent well-attended concerts at next door's joined at the hip venue, the Fire Station, by the Ronnie Scott's All-Stars, The Pasadena Roof Orchestra and the National Youth Jazz Orchestra has given me a sense of hope that the tide may have turned or, would it be like Sage Gateshead where only a small percentage of the audience turn out at the grass roots venues?

Watch this space.

Last night was promising although I suspect that there were more there for the food, which looked exceedingly appetising and I cursed myself for having already dined, than the music. Nevertheless, they applauded enthusiastically as they had been brought up to do and when the trio played Amanda's Rumba which wasn't a rumba at all but a samba several took to the dance floor spurred on by the internationally famous Abbie Finn. Her albums are being bought in Tennessee.

Earlier, they'd opened up with Green Tea, Jordu and God Bless the Child. Young, comfortable with the baby grand and with Grainger and Finn playing to their usual high standard the music was great although occasionally they almost drowned out the girl talk on the table behind me - almost!

As well as the jazz pieces there was also some Bacharach (The Look of Love) which lent itself to the idiom and a John Lennon number (Julia) which didn't quite.

I only caught the first set but it was an encouraging start and, I'm hopeful that once the word gets round more will show. Jazz, food and beer (Lambton Bitter) what more could one ask for? Lance