Another jam packed Black Swan jam session - April 16

It starts at seven thirty, doors at seven, it's going to be busy, let's get there for half past six. Turning into Newcastle Arts Centre's courtyard the queue was beginning to form. One whole hour before the down beat, what's going on? The Black Swan jam session is what you could call a success! 

This evening's house trio comprised guitar virtuoso Mr Bradley Johnston, jam session MC, Mr Paul Grainger and post-grad student drummer, Mr Bailey Rudd. Three numbers to set the ball rolling - Bird's Little Suede Shoes, Johnny Green's Body and Soul and Frank Loesser's I've Never Been in Love Before. Nicely warmed up, MC Grainger opened the floor. First up, Jan Spencelayh. Accompanied by John Rowland's tenor sax, Jan sang a classic - You Turned the Tables on Me. Excellent. 

Kris Finney had been absent for a while. Good to see him put in an appearance and, as ever, make a solid contribution behind the traps. Alex Shipsey is another welcome face at the jam session. Whatever the tune, Alex is on it. Trumpeter Stuart Fowler was in the house, minus his horn. But wait, taking a seat at the house keyboard, Stuart proved to be more than canny. Becky Tuck sang 'S Wonderful, accompanied by one S. Fowler at the piano. The wonders of a jam session! Guitarist Liam Oliver and drummer Freddie Richards were knocking around, they made their mark, likewise the dependable Owen Jones. MC P. Grainger likes it when not one, not two, but three bass players turn up! Remi Coulthard-Boardman sang (falsetto to boot) Moondance with Esther Coombes on board playing alto sax (later clarinet). 

Now then, sometimes at a jam session, just occasionally, something happens. Something wonderful, that is. Newcastle University students Conor Emery (trombone) and Olly Styles (tenor sax) formed a frontline supported by Stuart (keyboards), Bradley (guitar), Jamie Watkins (bass) and, wait for it, drummer John Hirst. Oh, yes! Conor and Olly set about tearing it up on Manteca. In their late teens/early twenties*, this was, as they say, 'something else'. Absolutely barnstorming stuff! And, there's more, John Hirst's drum solo would have brought the house down at Ronnie's. Stupendous!                  

As if that wasn't enough, Paul Skerritt**, enjoying a night out, led the finale. All hands on deck for It Don't Mean a Thing and a showstopping Let the Good Times Roll. 

* In some quarters you'll hear comments along the lines of 'in my day..', 'jazz isn't what it used to be...' etc. Well, the 'in my day' types should go hear Conor Emery and Olly Styles (and hundreds of other young musicians throughout the country) and they'll have their eyes and ears opened.

** A week on Friday (April 26) Paul Skerritt will be in concert in Hall Two at the Glasshouse (formerly Sage Gateshead). Paul's 'backing band' (!) will be the fantastic Danny Miller Big Band. Seats have been selling really well, don't delay, book today at: www.theglasshouseicm.org. Russell    

Bradley Johnston (guitar); Paul Grainger (double bass); Bailey Rudd  (drums) + Jan Spencelayh (vocals); John Rowland (tenor sax); Kris Finney (drums); Conor Emery (trombone); Olly Styles (tenor sax); Alex Shipsey (bass guitar); Kate O'Niell (vocals); Edgar Bell (trumpet); Stuart Fowler (piano); Becky Tuck (vocals); Esther Coombes (alto sax, clarinet); Freddie Richards (drums); Ian Drever (vocals); Liam Oliver (guitar); Remi Coulthard-Boardman (vocals); Owen Jones (double bass); Jacob Egglestone (guitar); Jamie Watkins (bass guitar); Josh Weir (drums); Alec Gamble (guitar); Johannes Dalhuijsen (bass clarinet); ? (piano); ? (vocals); John Hirst (drums); Paul Skerritt (vocals)