Mouth of the Tyne Festival: Jazz Stage - July 9

(© Russell)

Rendezvous Jazz: Maureen Hall (vocals); Gavin Lee (clarinet); Gordon Solomon (trombone); Alf Langthorne (piano); John Robinson (double bass); Scotty Adair (drums, vocals)

There is so much to see and do. Street theatre, music, food and drink, fabulous views out over the North Sea, this is the Mouth of the Tyne Festival. Earlier, the Northern Monkey Brass Band proved to be a big attraction. So much so, your correspondent caught no more than a couple of numbers on the jazz stage by Maureen Hall's Rendezvous Jazz. 

Flanked by Gavin Lee and Gordon Solomon (trombone ace Solomon putting in the first of two shifts this afternoon), Hall's long-running band entertained the early arrivals, many of whom were in it for the long haul. Bandleader Hall shared the vocals with drummer Scotty Adair, Alf Langthorne, up from County Durham, occupied the piano stool, and from south of the river, the redoubtable John Robinson played string bass. 

(© Russell)

Delta Prophets Trio: Den Fisher (guitar); Paul Allan (guitar); Antonio Moneva (harmonica)

The one out-and-out blues band - the Delta Prophets - didn't look or sound out of place. The two guitars of Den Fisher and Paul Allan played the delta blues and more, accompanied by Antonio Moneva blowing some good harp into the bargain. Casual engagement with the sun-drenched audience, relaxed patter, these guys are steeped in the Tyne Delta blues.

The Chicago blues to Bob Dylan's acoustic roots to an excellent cover of Bill Withers' Ain't No Sunshine, be sure to catch the Delta Prophets gigging across Tyneside.

(© Ken Drew)

Abbie Finn Trio: Abbie Finn (drums); Harry Keeble (tenor sax); Paul Grainger (double bass)

Abbie Finn is gigging all over the place, this Tynemouth date a most welcome, midsummer outdoor set. Leading her trio from the back of the stage, Finn's set list comprised material from albums old and new alongside a few well chosen modern standards including Seven Steps to Heaven and Straight No Chaser. Finn's Jazz the Cat featured Finn and sparring partners, Messrs Harry Keeble (impressive tenor sax) and, seemingly, the world's busiest bass player (gigs galore!), Paul Grainger. A good set, we've come to expect nothing less!

(© Russell)

River City Hot Six: Gordon Solomon (trombone); Bob Wade (trumpet); Steve Andrews (clarinet, soprano sax); Keith Stephen (banjo); Phil Rutherford (sousaphone); Scotty Adair (drums) + Caroline Irwin (vocals); John Broddle (vocals); Benjamin (alto sax); Olivia (xylophone)     

To close the afternoon's entertainment here on the jazz stage, Gordon Solomon brought in his rarely heard Hot Six plus one or more special guests. The decibel level at the multi-bill sold out show in the adjacent Tynemouth Priory threatened to drown out the Hot Six but, like the troupers they are, Solomon and Co simply got on with it. 

Good to see trumpeter Bob Wade out gigging, sitting to Solomon's left. To Wade's left, all the way from Shap in Cumbria, the New Century Ragtime Orchestra's MC, Mr Steve Andrews toting clarinet and soprano sax. The ace rhythm section comprised Keith Stephen, banjo, sousaphone maestro Phil Rutherford and, drummer for any and every occasion, Scotty Adair. 

Girl of My Dreams, Indiana , the Hot Six were underway. Initial problems with the sound made it rather difficult to hear bandleader Solomon's trombone. Thankfully the matter was swiftly rectified. Limehouse Blues followed by Basin Street Blues, this was good stuff. If there's a gig somewhere on North Tyneside you can bet your bottom dollar John Broddle will be around. Sure enough, at Solomon's invitation, JB joined the boys to sing Who's Sorry Now (Andrews on clarinet).

Caroline Irwin sang one of her favourites - Running Wild, good value is Ms Irwin. As the set approached its end the Hot Six were joined by youngsters (actually twins) Benjamin, playing alto sax, and, on xylophone, Olivia. Our stars of tomorrow did just grand playing Cruella de Vil. 

The rain more than held off, pretty much blues skies all the way. When the weather is fine there's nowhere finer than being at the coast for the Mouth of the Tyne Festival. Russell