Conor Emery (bass trombone); David Gray (trombone); Alex Utting (trombone); Kieran Parnaby (trombone); Alix Shepherd (piano); George Griffith (bass); Jack Littlewood (drums)
Newcastle University student Conor Emery assembled a fine four-strong trombone frontline to play a debut gig at the Globe. Would anyone turn up? You bet! As bass trombonist Conor took to the stage the Newcastle Jazz Co-op's premises were stretched to capacity and beyond. Conor, bass trombone, stood alongside David Gray, Kieran Parnaby and Alex Utting. Now there's a 'bone section and a half!
Michael Davis' Blues for Bones opened the show and what a show it would be! The largely student audience was 'up for it', cheering each and every solo by Conor, David, Kieran and Alex. And then there was the rhythm section: the lesser spotted pianist Alix Shepherd, bassist and friend of Conor, George Griffith, and another friend, drummer Jack Littlewood. Joe Zawinul's Birdland had 'em clapping along before Jason Schilling's arrangement of It Could Happen to You took it down a notch or two. The Peanut Vendor brought about the return of the raucous. And why not? Conor Emery was having fun!
Second set: American trombonist Jennifer Wharton's arrangement of Tricotism, references galore to JJ and Kai, Slide Hampton, Wycliffe Gordon (arr. Mood Indigo), clearly Conor has been checking out dem 'bones! Jennifer Wharton's Bonegasm (an American 'bone outfit to Conor's liking) featured large, including Alan Ferber's arrangement of Ice Fall. Two relatively short sets, Conor had run out of numbers, no more charts at hand. In the best tradition, let's have a reprise. The Peanut Vendor, as good as anything. Keep an eye out for Conor Emery at jam sessions around town, our 'boneman is one to watch. Russell
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