Sid Jacobs & Tom Remon @ the Prohibition Bar, Newcastle - March 31

(© Russell)

Sid Jacobs, Tom Remon (guitar)

The first thing that struck me as the two guitarists opened up with Speak Low was the absence of music stands supporting those digital devices that nowadays are a part of most musicians' armoury. No, this music came from the head and the heart.

Two contrasting techniques: London based Remon used a pick whilst  Angeleno Jacobs eschewed a pick in favour of his thumb à la Wes Montgomery. Both approaches worked well.

This was what I suppose could be described as 'chamber jazz' and there's nothing wrong with that. 

A choice selection of standards plus an original by Remon and the number that opened the second set may have been one of Jacobs' compositions.

Apart from the individual solos, what really knocked me out was their interplay. Two improvising lines that complemented each other - a kind of a jazz fugue - pure magic!

(© Russell)

The minor keyed Segment (Charlie Parker) took us into bebop territory. You Stepped Out of a Dream, so beautifully played that I thought I was dreaming! Another emotive number was one by Horace Silver but, sadly, I didn't catch the title. I'm sure someone will help me out.

With a Song in my Heart had a  long meandering intro with no clues given as to what it was - perhaps it was the verse - but, when the melody did erupt, we all pretended we'd known all along. Turns out it was a Jim Hall arrangement.

Alone Together and Benny Golson's Stablemates brought the first set to a close and I was pleased to note there were now more in the audience than earlier when the 'jar on the bar' looked unlikely to provide the hypothetical baby with new shoes.

The second set, after the unannounced original, had a reflective version of Days of Wine and Roses followed by Darn That Dream, the aforementioned original by Remon, Joy Spring and closed with Bill Evans' Very Early which, at 9:00pm, in jazz gig terms, it was! 

(© Russell)

Good to see several members of the jazz guitar fraternity present one of whom, Laurence Harrison, will be sharing the stage with Tom Remon next Saturday.

One myth was laid to rest during the evening - that hoary old chestnut that those who can, do, and those who can't, teach. Jacob, who has several instructional books, videos and online courses to his name, kicked that adage well and truly into the waters of the Tyne!

I began the evening thinking: two guitars and no piano, bass, drums or horns this is going to be dull - it wasn't! Lance