Giles Strong Quartet @ The Gala, Durham - June 23

(© Malcolm Sinclair)

Giles Strong (guitar); Pete Tanton (trumpet, flugelhorn); Ian Paterson (double bass); John Bradford (drums)

The Giles Strong Quartet is a relatively new unit and on the evidence of this lunchtime Gala concert it could develop into a long term project. Four vastly experienced musicians, each of them responsive, sensitive players, the music and the setting made for a most enjoyable hour. In an era of (over) amplification, guitarist Giles Strong chose to perform entirely acoustically save for our bandleader's lightly amplified instrument. 

(© Malcolm Sinclair)

Pete Tanton's trumpet and flugelhorn work projected to the far end of the room, bassist Ian Paterson's wholly acoustic double bass playing was a delight, indeed a highlight, similarly, drummer John Bradford's immaculate use of brushes and mallets. Six of nine compositions were written by Strong, the others were the choicest of choice GASbook numbers. 

The opening two numbers (both Strong originals) - Mubo and Coco in Paris - set a high bar. Sympathetic, listening musicians (no grandstanding this afternoon here on Millennium Place), this was all about group interplay augmented by beautifully judged solo contributions. Waltz time, Latin feel, swingers (Strong's Walk to Wall a high point), Brother T the one number with a hint of a groove, reminiscent of Roy Hargrove, the 'emotional centrepiece' to quote Strong, featuring Pete Tanton's flugelhorn on Body and Soul, the afternoon flew by. 

Bandleader Strong thanked his band mates for their company and first class contributions (Ian Paterson, playing acoustically, a real trooper, beginning the afternoon with a blistered finger, ending the hour with a somewhat bigger blister!), not forgetting to thank the Gala's staff and the behind the scenes work of Brian, Doug, Tony et al. To close, Gene de Paul's I'll Remember April. A quite memorable afternoon. Russell                 

Set list: Mubo; Coco in Paris; Alone Together; You'll be There, I'll be Here; Blues Clues; Brother T; Walk to Wall; Body and Soul; I'll Remember April.