Tom Remon (guitar); Alex Ho (piano)
Tom Remon and Alex Ho are on tour. On Thursday night they were in London at the Vortex, this evening they're here at Prohibition Bar, Saturday they'll be in Leeds. How did the Tomorrow's Warriors' alumni get themselves a gig here on Pink Lane? They emailed the venue, a date was agreed, it was as simple as that. A graduate of Middlesex University, guitarist Remon sat perched on a bar stool, pianist Ho sat hunched over his keyboard, they would play a set of standards.
What is This Thing Called Love? opened their first set. First impressions? A torrent of notes from fretboard and keyboard, extended solo excursions, our duo respecting the melody along the way. Duo gigs can't be the easiest to navigate; When to keep out of the way? When to enhance? It seems Remon and Ho are comfortable working together in this stripped down format.
Prohibition Bar would hold few fears, our duo having performed at Ronnie Scott's, Alex Ho's cv boasting engagements with Gary Crosby, festival appearances (Marsden Jazz Festival), gigs in China, BBC airplay, Tom Remon, a veteran of the recording studio having released Duality, a duo album with none other than Jim Mullen!
One of Tyneside's top guitarists dropped by, his dog (yes, Prohibition Bar is a dog friendly establishment) announcing their arrival with an excited Woof! Woof! A nod and a smile from Remon welcomed man and dog. Jimmy Van Heusen's Darn That Dream was given a serious workout, chords galore, solos from both musicians. To conclude their first set Tom Remon and Alex Ho went out on Benny Golson's Whisper Not. Your correspondent reluctantly departed to a ticketed gig elsewhere in town. Be sure to check out Tom Remon and Alex Ho. Russell
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