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| (© Mike Tilley) |
Pete Tanton (trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals); Alan Law (keyboards); Mick Shoulder (double bass); John Bradford (drums)There would be sleet, there would be snow, 'tis the season, but not before the Chet Set. On a freezing midweek evening November's jazz concert at Newcastle Arts Centre attracted an encouragingly large audience. The Black Swan jam sessions are the stuff of legend, such is the popularity of the twice monthly jam night it's not unheard of for a 'one in, one out' policy to be in operation. This evening the adjoining performance space opened its doors to accommodate an expectant audience.
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| (© Mike Tilley) |
Pete Tanton cuts a 'Johnny Lonely' figure - affable, approachable, seemingly lost in thought in a 'Let's Get Lost' world. Whatever was happening out there on the street, for the next couple of hours or so we were invited to tag along as Pete explored the life and times of West Coast cool jazz icon Chet Baker. But Not for Me sang Chet/Pete. Throughout the evening's two sets Pete's engaging, intimate, at times conversational, vocals drew the listener ever-closer.
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| (© Russell) |
Pete's Chet Set featured pianist Alan Law, bassist Mick Shoulder and drummer John Bradford. Their collective attention to detail and sensitivity towards the material made for a winning formula. The casual jazz fan, indeed the non-jazz fan, couldn't be other than impressed. The life story of the evening's subject - Chet Baker - is one of many chapters, and Pete's conversational narrative alluded to Baker's poll-winning success in an era of many illustrious trumpeters (Clifford Brown, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Fats Navarro...), the women in his life, the drug-taking, but, the music, the jazz, that's what hit home. The ballads (I Fall in Love Too Easily, My Funny Valentine), a cookin' Just Friends, It Could Happen to You and a set closing Look for the Silver Lining, performed by four top class musicians, made for a great gig. Russell
Set list: But Not for Me; The More I See You; I Fall in Love Too Easily; There'll Never Be Another You; Silent Night; That Old Feeling; Frenesi; I Remember You; Let's Get Lost; My Funny Valentine; Time After Time; Just Friends; It Could Happen to You; Look for the Silver Lining
1 comment :
The night was indeed freezing, but the atmosphere at The Black Swan was in distinct opposition. A welcoming, responsive, little crowd in the perfect setting. First time for me. I came with high-hopes and left elated. Pete Tanton's Chet Set expelled my austerity blues with a spry mix of conversation, sincere vocals and musicianship of the highest form. The sound mix was a comfortable, detailed, separation of instruments allowing each to shine individually and blend perfectly to the dictates of interpretation. As a Chet Baker fan, I was moved by their command of the material AND thrilled when they 'broke loose' and let the music fly. Jazz REALLY works live and these gentlemen have the skills to make it stratospheric. Can't wait to return. Great band, cool place, nice people.
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