The Black Swan jam session - Sept. 19

The Black Swan jam session is the one you dare not miss. The familiar faces sat in, it wouldn't be the same without them, but, here's the thing, the coming generation has well and truly arrived. This evening's session would be bookended by two teenage trumpeters and a couple of function band veterans.

At short notice, in the absence of Abbie Finn, the Vice President of the Percussive Arts Society (UK & Ireland) stepped into the breach. The VP is none other than Michael Mather, cue a spontaneous round of applause! The house trio - Stu Collingwood, MC Paul Grainger and VP Mather - got things under way courtesy of Michel Legrand. From here on in the merry-go-round didn't stop all night.

First up, a debutante. Step forward trumpeter Lara William (pictured above). If our newcomer was nervous it didn't show. Measured, restrained, well-schooled, Lara chose to play Sometime Ago. You should have heard the applause! Wow! Lara hung around for a while, sharing the stage with fellow trumpeter Shivan Ruddick (pictured left). The two teens have well and truly made their mark. This being a midweek school night Lara was obliged to leave before the grand finale. She'll be back, that's for sure. 

MC Mr PG couldn't believe his luck. During the evening no fewer than three bass players arrived affording him the opportunity to go to the bar. Three cheers for Owen Jones, Alex Shipsey and John Pope!

Shining lights Paul Ruddick and David Gray lit up the room, Paul blowing some ferocious Baghdaddian alto, 'Showtime' spinning plates - trombone, trumpet and vocals. Newbies Eva Fox (pictured left) and Richard Sutton (pictured below) impressed, Eva singing, Richard playing some mighty fine guitar. Come back soon.

And then there was Luis Verde. Blowing sublime alto sax at intervals during the night, to see out the evening, Luis fancied playing Caravan. All hands on deck, all going for it, Luis took Juan Tizol's epic number to the cleaners. It's been written, it's been documented, Luis is the one to hear. A tremendous musician, if you're yet to hear him play, do yourself a favour, get along to the next jam session, you never know, he might be there. 

Note, the next Black Swan jam session will be on Tuesday 3rd October (the pattern is 'first and third Tuesdays in the month'). It's a seven thirty start and it's free, yes, free admission. Where's the Black Swan? In the basement of Newcastle Arts Centre, Westgate Road, Newcastle (two mins' walk from Central Station). Russell

Stu Collingwood (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Michael Mather (drums) + Lara William (trumpet); Luis Verde (alto sax); Kate O'Neill (vocals); David Gray (trombone, trumpet, vocals); Owen Jones (double bass); Paul Ruddick (alto sax); Shivan Ruddick (trumpet); Alex Shipsey (bass guitar); Dan ? (drums); Esther Coombes (alto sax, clarinet); Lisa ? (vocals); Liam ? (guitar); Murray Wankling (piano); Richard Sutton (guitar); Eva Fox (vocals); Adam Sams (guitar); John Pope (double bass); Ian Drever (vocals); Edgar Bell (trumpet)