The Black Swan jam session @ Newcastle Arts Centre - Nov. 21

The Black Swan, first and third Tuesday in the month, join the queue. Queuing to get into a jam session?! Yep, such is the interest down on Westgate Road punters are turning up earlier and earlier. Other than the house trio it's anyone's guess who'll turn up. This evening would be an ever-accelerating merry-go-round of experienced heads and keen-as-mustard newbies.

Stu Collingwood, Paul Grainger and Tim Johnston are 'been there, done that' types but they cannot be other than encouraged, if not impressed, by the emerging talent on the Tyneside jazz scene. A couple of numbers to warm up and the floor was open to the first of the sitters-in. The Ruddicks - that's Baghdaddian alto sax wizard Paul Ruddick and trumpeter Shivan (son of P. Ruddick) - led the way. 

From the house trio's All the Things You Are to sitters-in calling Trane, Brubeck, GASbook numbers (Beautiful Love, Perdido, Lover Man, Black Coffee, Caravan, the list goes on) and more, the joint was jumpin'. Lots of chatter, noisy chatter, the bar ticking over, folk having a good time, you can't/shouldn't  knock it.

Representing the old guard, it was good to see - and hear - John Rowland blowing old school, swinging tenor and the aforementioned P. Ruddick putting down a marker to any alto sax wannabies. Good to see Joe Steels (guitar) dropping by, Conor Emery (trombone), Alex Shipsey (bass), the graduates Jacob Egglestone and Bailey Rudd (guitar and drums respectively) and a clutch of drummers - debutant Joe (Take Five), Bailey, Josh Weir, Michael Mather, Freddie Richards. 

Newcastle University student Ollie (tenor sax) made his Black Swan debut. The word has it he was feeling a tad nervous. Ollie can play, no worries, we'll be hearing more from him, that's for sure. Becky Tuck was in the house. A gigging musician, it was great to see Becky supporting the 'first and third Tuesday in the month' jam session (see photo: Becky with Conor Emery).

Entering the home straight, Mr P.C. - Paul Grainger - assembled the troops for the grand finale. So many of them got up it was difficult to count 'em all - twelve, thirteen, fourteen...And off they went blowing on C Jam Blues (see photo: the frontline horns - Shivan, Ollie, Conor, Esther, the common denominator...they're the new kids on the block). The next Black Swan jam session ('first Tuesday') is scheduled for Tuesday 5 December. It's a 7:30pm start, be prepared to join the queue for the best free show in town. Russell

Stu Collingwood (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums) + Paul Ruddick (alto sax); Esther Coombes (alto sax, clarinet); John Rowland, Ollie ? (tenor sax); Shivan Ruddick, Edgar Bell (trumpet); Jacob Egglestone, Joe Steels (guitar); Conor Emery, David Gray (trombone); Alex Shipsey, Jamie Watkins (bass guitar); Owen Jones (double bass); Joe, Bailey Rudd, Josh Weir, Michael Mather, Freddie Richards (drums); Kate O'Neill, Ian Drever, Becky Tuck, ? (vocals)