Rico Tomasso (trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals); Derrick Harris (guitar); Andrzej Baranek (piano); Steve Crocker (double bass); Paul Smith (drums)
Rico Tomasso is from round these here parts. As a kid it was his old stomping ground. Graduating from Leeds College of Music he made the move south, bright lights, big city 'n' all that. It had been six years since his last gig in the city. This afternoon he made a welcome return home. The SOLD OUT! notices must have gladdened the heart.
Choosing to open on flugelhorn rather than his customary trumpet, Rico was in the very best of company: guitarist Derrick Harris (a name familiar to BSH readers thanks to Mike Farmer's regular gig reviews from the Railway in Stockport); the brilliant pianist Andrzej Baranek (often heard working with Gaz Hughes); Steve Crocker (bassist and a key figure working tirelessly on the local jazz scene) and drummer Paul Smith (not to be confused with his namesake up on Teesside).
Almost Like Being in Love and the first chorus of You and the Night and the Music played on flugelhorn, Rico then switching to trumpet and sticking with it to produce a knockout version of St James' Infirmary (trumpet and vocals). Seven Come Eleven, Baubles, Bangles and Beads, this was Rico swinging through the forties, fifties and beyond. I've Got the World on a String, Brotherhood of Man, and the song Louis Armstrong made his own, What a Wonderful World.
The interval: another pint of the Rooster Brewing Company's Original Yankee Pale Ale, a raffle ticket (a winning raffle ticket!) and in no time Rico and the boys were ready for the second set.
The Way You Look Tonight and then something of a surprise, Rico picked up his Harmon tin mute to play Miles. Yes, modal era Miles Davis, as good a take on All Blues as you're likely to hear. As Rico was about to play Irving Berlin's Without My Walking Stick, legendary drummer Ronnie Bottomley, sitting in the front row, just happened to have at his side a walking stick. Rico borrowed it and held onto it as he blew his horn. A magical moment. The show wouldn't have been half as good without the excellent contributions of his bandmates (Andrzej Baranek outstanding throughout).
An encore was assured. Irving Berlin's The Song is Ended (But the Melody Lingers On) sent us on our way. It had been a magical day. Russell
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