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| (© Roly Veitch) |
Lewis Watson (tenor sax); Mark Williams (guitar); Mick Shoulder (double bass); John Bradford (drums)
The Black Bull is under new management. Following the recent retirement of Carl and Jackie, their successor, Dean, has been busy: the two-room community pub on Bridge Street has been given a lick of paint, new lights have been installed and further improvements are in the pipeline. One thing remains the same and that's the third Monday in the month Blaydon Jazz Club session. This evening's concert featured one of the very best musicians around, be it here in Blaydon, the UK or on Planet Earth.
They turned out in force for this one and little wonder, when Lewis Watson is in town it's no contest, you just have to be there. Two of the regulars brought along four or five friends and/or relatives, it could be the way forward...you go to your local jazz club, you take along a friend and you double the attendance! Best seats bagged with a Consett Ale Works beer in hand, as tenor saxophonist Watson's ace quartet took to the stage, this evening promised to be something special. Wayne Shorter's Yes and No opened the show, wow! Absolutely stunning, post-bop tenor sax to die for. The giants of the music are in there - Trane, Rollins et al - yet there is the distinctive voice of Lewis Watson, a magisterial tenor player.
Watson's band mates - guitarist Mark Williams, bassist Mick Shoulder and drummer John Bradford - were well up to the mark, soloing as and when required. George Adams' Autumn Song, Song for Keith (for the late Keith Morris), more Shorter in the form of El Gaucho, quite a first set!
Second set, more of the same, more brilliant tenor playing. A commanding Lover Man, Coltrane at the heart of so much of the music we were hearing here at the Black Bull, these were moments to cherish, every single note. All four musicians firing on all cylinders, Joe Henderson's Inner Urge brought the evening to a close. It had been quite an evening. Lewis Watson doesn't gig too often, more's the shame. Next time he's out and about do yourself a favour, make a point of being there.
Next month (Monday 19 June) Blaydon Jazz Club presents Pete Tanton's 'Chet Set'. Highly recommended. Russell
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