It is always a pleasure to have this quartet, comprising, as it does some of the best jazz musicians in the Teesside area and thus guaranteeing the audience a night of interesting and exciting jazz. This also gave Mark the opportunity to demonstrate his skills as a talented composer with a number of his own compositions.
Starting the first set with an original composition of Mark's Do You Have The Time?, a nice swinging blues with a fine alto intro with improvised solos all round setting the style for the evening, clearly showing the quartet's high standard of musicianship.
A nicely played version of Jimmy Van Heusen's It Could Happen To You with a bass solo from Peter was followed by an up tempo Parker influenced composition of Mark's, Jump High.
The song Be my Love, made famous by Mario Lanza, was an unlikely choice that was, nevertheless, beautifully played proving that in the right hands the song is but musical putty in the hands of the performer. The mood was changed with Mark's ballad for his own daughter - A Song For Laura - a moving solo from Mark on alto and sympathetic piano from Jeremy.
A surprise came next when Mark invited Linda Hampton to sing On A Slow Boat To China pleasing the audience.
The final number of the first set was Mark's aptly named Those Rainy Summer Days with a Latin rhythm letting Paul show his drumming skills with a great solo.
The popular What's New? started the second set followed by a most interesting up tempo composition of Mark's, Mark Time, with a mix of both Latin and swing, giving plenty of scope for improvisation and fours, showing just how tight an ensemble they were.
The standard, East of the Sun ( and West of the Moon) was well played before the last of Mark's compositions, a nice Latin number One More Try.
The band then excelled themselves with the final number Sonny Rollins' Tenor Madness with driving rhythm from Paul on drums, Peter on bass and blistering alto from Mark and piano from Jeremy bringing the night to a close.
A highly successful guest band night and very pleasing to see amongst the good sized audience were the musicians Alan Fearnley, Ottie McLaughlin, Garry Hadfield and Bruce Taylor. Thanks as always go to the staff of Dorman's Club for their support with the jazz club. Ron Hampton
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