Michael Young (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Sid White (drums) + Luis Verde, Sam Toulson, Haaruun Miller (alto sax); John Rowland (tenor sax); Edgar Bell (trumpet); Esther Coombes (clarinet, alto sax); Ruby (flute); Caroline Watkins (piano); Liam, ? (guitar); Jamie Watkins (double bass); Bailey Rudd (drums); Mollie Birmingham, Debra Milne, Sarah Johnston, Kate O'Neill, Steph, Lisa, Ian Drever, ? (vocals)
The penultimate Black Swan jam session of the year featured an alto sax summit, a plethora of vocalists and a family celebration. The previous day's incessant rain cleared the pavements of snow and ice, no doubt tempting any waverers to make it down to Newcastle Arts Centre. Long before the down beat the basement Black Swan bar was more than busy.
Twenty four hours earlier Michael Young could be found working with his trio - and special guest Lindsay Hannon - at a packed Engine Room in Sunderland. This evening the Black Swan jam session's house pianist once again hooked up with bassist Paul Grainger with southpaw Sid White occupying the drum chair. Well You Needn't opened the show and it was good to hear a stonking, rip-roaring take on one of T. Monk's classic numbers. It wasn't too long before MC Grainger invited Luis Verde to join the trio to play a couple of tunes. Alto sax in hand, Verde called Skylark. This was it, magnificent alto saxophone playing, simply magnificent. If any Tynesiders - and those beyond - are yet to hear Luis Verde, do yourself a favour, get down to the next jam session (Tuesday 19). If Luis Verde happens to be in the house you're in for a treat!
John Rowland was in the house and his old school tenor sound on a Horace Silver staple offered contrast to what had gone before. A multitude of vocalists made their mark, including Mollie Birmingham (Nature Boy) and Debra Milne (a seasonal Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!). Later in the evening another alto saxophonist who we hadn't heard from in a while turned up...one Sam Toulson! Burning Bird-like bebop tore it up. Wow! And then, and then...we heard/witnessed Verde and Toulson locking alto sax horns on A Night in Tunisia. Jam sessions are ten-a-penny, this, however, was a 24-carat 'I was there' moment. Two prodigiously talented musicians, respectful of one another, if not 'Gig of the Year', definitely a 'Highlight of the Year'.
And as if it couldn't get any better, a suited-and-booted Jamie Watkins arrived. Wot?! No jeans and trainers? Ah, it was post grad Jamie's graduation day! Day-long family celebrations continued here at the Black Swan. How good was that?! And here's a first, Jamie played Paul Grainger's double bass! Better still, it was entirely appropriate Jamie's mate Bailey Rudd just happened to be playing drums. What's more, Caroline Watkins (Jamie's mother) played piano! As jam sessions go this was one of the more memorable. A great night!
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