Another belter although the main action was 270 miles away at the Pizza Express in Holborn where the annual APPJG awards were taking place. Needless to say, a BSH team were covering the event and when the news filtered through that Jo Harrop and Paul Edis' album When Winter Turns to Spring got the nod for Jazz Album of the Year the Black Swan audience acknowledged the achievement with boisterous applause. The fact that the album was produced by fellow north easterner Jamie McCredie made for a triple celebration. Well done!
Meanwhile, back in our own backyard, the house trio kicked off with Joy Spring, Embraceable You and Triste. They sounded good and surely filled the jammers with confidence at the support they would get.
First up was Harry Keeble who worked out on Without a Song and a tune I knew but couldn't put a name to. This was going to be a sax night - the crème de la crème were waiting in the wings primed for action. However, first we had a lusty rendition of My One and Only Love from Kate followed by Crazy he Calls me. On the latter tune Luis Verde joined the party. His blistering alto solo inspired Kate to blow him a kiss from stage left.
John Rowland joined Luis for All or Nothing at All, his booting tenor contrasting nicely with the post Parker alto of Verde. John stayed out front for Monk's Hackensack before, owing to the absence of any bass playing sitters-in, a break was called.
The second set saw Ian Drever take on Judy Garland and Tony Bennett with Somewhere Over the Rainbow and I Left my Heart in San Francisco. He has a strong voice and I feared for the crystal ball dangling from the ceiling.
Kris Finney was now on drums and Esther (on alto) joined JR for Blue Bossa.
More alto, this time from Paul Gowland who excelled on I'll Remember April and I Can't Get Started - beautiful. Dan, on piano, is another new star to arrive.
Harry and Luis played Cheesecake. Both at the top of their game. Harry didn't blow any kisses but he did acknowledge Luis by clapping his hands.
David Gray didn't need to be asked twice and before we knew it he was playing, singing and meeting Miss Jones. That lady has certainly met a lot of musicians - was she the original 'groupie'? Edgar Bell was also involved in the affair.
Finally, Esther (on clarinet) led the cavalry charge on Mr. P.C. with all and sundry, apart from Luis whose carriage awaited, soloing including Finney who took an extended solo.
It had been quite a night although the real action was way down south. Lance
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