The Just Friends Black Swan jam session - July 16

Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Abbie Finn (drums) + Harry Keeble (tenor sax); Conor Emery (trombone); Kate O'Niell (vocals); Edgar Bell (cornet); Dan Potter (drums); Liam Oliver (guitar); John Rowland (tenor sax); Daisy (vocals); Esther Coombes (clarinet, alto sax); Lisa (vocals); Theo Nolan (drums); Ian Drever (vocals); Patrick (guitar); Ian White (tenor sax); David Gray (trombone, trumpet); Remy Coulthard Boardman (vocals) 

The rain hammered down. What's new? Turning into the courtyard of Newcastle Arts Centre, pools of water stood everywhere. Splish! Splash! No one but no one would venture out tonight, would they? Mine host, Kay, took pity on the bedraggled, opening the doors half an hour before the advertised time. 

Descending the stairs - squelch, squelch - it became apparent the roof was leaking! Strategically placed kitchen roll in front of the house Gretsch kit soaked up the constant drip, drip, drip of rainwater. Summertime? Ha! Mad dogs or jazz fans, foolishly or otherwise, the regulars and more than a few newbies braved the elements. The house trio - the irrepressible Alan Law, piano, jam session MC, Paul Grainger, bass, and award-winning drummer Abbie Finn - opened up with Who Can I Turn to? The Anthony Newley-Leslie Bricusse number proved to be a welcome departure from the usual jam session fayre.

The Black Swan jam session is, if nothing else, a friendly affair. MC Grainger invited the first of the evening's hopefuls to join the trio, tenor saxophonist Harry Keeble. When HK is around it's time to straighten up and listen. I Could Write a Book - excellent. Responding to the call: Conor Emery to the main deck*, recent graduate student musician Conor Emery, cradling his trombone, skirted around the sodden patch on the basement's tiled floor. The Sidewinder upped the ante, HK and CE tearing into the Lee Morgan classic. Just Friends summed up what the Black Swan is all about - the rhythm section cooking, the front line knocking out first rate solos. 

Accompanied by Edgar Bell's distinctive cornet sound and Liam Oliver's excellent guitar playing, Kate O'Niell sang Stormy Weather. John Rowland called Blues Walk - good choice! Excellent contributions from JR, Liam Oliver and the rhythm section powered along Blakey-style by Abbie Finn. Daisy sang Cry Me a River with Esther 'Excellent Attendance' Coombes on clarinet. Lisa handed out charts to the house trio, choosing to sing a heart-wrenching Misty. 

A changing of the guard found Theo Nolan behind the traps and Patrick playing guitar. The two tenors of John Rowland and Ian White (Esther on alto sax) went round and round with Watermelon Man. In recent weeks Patrick has got the hang of this jam session thing, as for Ian White, our tenor man is a welcome presence anytime. Dat Dere a great choice with more of the propulsive Blakey drive courtesy of A. Finn. 

Ian Drever reprised a Foggy Day (Alan Law expertly charting a course out of the pea-souper), then, before we knew it, the Good Ship Black Swan was in open water. Remi CB (that's Remi Coulthard Boardman) rocked up to sing, really sing, Etta James' classic I Just Want to Make Love to You with bar-walking tenor from H. Keeble. Superb! As the Good Ship Black Swan sailed into the sunset, all hands were summoned to blow on Impressions. It had been yet another canny night down on Westgate Road. The next one (Tuesday August 6, 7:30pm sharp) is sure to be every bit as good.          

                  

 * Conor Emery is soon to embark on the trip of a lifetime. Our affable, excellent trombonist has landed himself a proper job and a plum one at that. From Newcastle University to a sunshine cruise ship engagement. From all at the Black Swan jam session - Good luck and bon voyage!