Mick Shoulder's Swing Manouche @ Blaydon Jazz Club - June 10

© Roly Veitch

Mick Shoulder (guitar); Dave Smith (rhythm guitar); Jim McBriarty (clarinet); Paul Grainger (double bass)

A couple of lads from County Durham and two from Tyneside playing all things 'Django' in a community pub in Blaydon-on-Tyne tells a story. Whether it be 'Gypsy jazz', 'Hot Club' or 'Manouche' the legacy of Django Reinhardt is far reaching. Guitarist Mick Shoulder and rhythm guitar partner Dave Smith (the pair recently returned from a pilgrimage to Samois-sur-Seine) sat down alongside clarinettist Jim McBriarty (string bassist Paul Grainger upstanding) to play some Django Reinhardt. 

All of Me opened the show. Over the course of two sets Swing Manouche would simply 'play some Django', the striking thing about the quartet is the focus on the music, egos left at the door. Rhythm guitar maestro Dave Smith and bassist Paul Grainger played it straight down the middle, exactly as required, leaving it to bandleader Mick Shoulder to handle the tricky stuff as Jim McBriarty played the (frequently familiar) melodies. The rarely heard ballad Melodie au Crepuscule made for a refreshing change (Messrs. Shoulder and McBriarty shining), Dinette made the cut, as did It Had to be You. 

The Djangologists in the room loved every minute of the two sets. Douce Ambiance, I'll See You in My Dreams, Anniversary Song, the WWII sentimental hit I'll Never Smile Again, all interspersed with Mick Shoulder's inimitable introductions, ie casual yet informative. As we approached the end of the evening Dark Eyes picked up the tempo, bassist P. Grainger barrel-straight, rhythm guitar maestro D. Smith working overtime. Mick Shoulder's Swing Manouche is a cracking outfit, be sure to catch them next time. Russell