Jamie Toms Quartet @ Queen's Hall, Hexham - April 21

(© Malcolm Sinclair)

Jamie Toms (tenor sax, soprano sax); Graham Don (keyboards); Ian Paterson (double bass); John Bradford (drums)

An audience turned out in the library located within Queen's Hall to listen to a new quartet with all of the material heard over the course of two sets composed by bandleader Jamie Toms. Blue Note and ECM informed the performance, the opening number very much a bop-inspired workout. A waltz followed, then a Latin number, all adding up to a varied set. 

(© Malcolm Sinclair)

Jamie Toms' assured tenor and soprano sax playing impressed throughout. To Toms' left, fellow Strictly Smokin' bandmate, pianist Graham Don, clearly revelled in the greater freedom afforded to him in this small group setting. The audience heard consistently excellent piano playing, similarly, bassist Ian Paterson demonstrated his fine, frequently swinging, double bass playing (Hurricane
Dorian a swinging affair). And then there was John Bradford, one of the busiest drummers on the scene. Brushes when required, otherwise sticks, JB, Toms, Don and Paterson have hit the ground running. The Jamie Toms Quartet can be heard in June at the Globe in Newcastle. Other dates will surely follow. Russell            

Set list: Working from Home Song; Waltz for a Rainy Day; Chido; The Day the Snow Came; Absent Friends; The Monkfish; First Glance; Tuesday Song; Hurricane Dorian; Remembering You; Pip's Palace.