An August evening Black Swan jam session - August 6

Steve Glendinning (guitar); Paul Grainger (double bass); Bailey Rudd (drums) + Luis Verde (alto sax); Robert Johnson (tenor sax); Kate O'Niell (vocals); ? (alto sax); Martin Waugh (piano); Jamie Watkins (double bass); Adam Sams (guitar); John  Rowland (tenor sax); Lachlan Fotheringham (soprano sax); Miriam McCormick (vocals); Dan Potter (drums); Lisa (vocals); Theo Nolan (drums); Shayo (vocals); Josh (piano); Liam Oliver (guitar); Becky Tuck (vocals); Remy Coulthard Boardman (vocals); Ian Drever (vocals); ? (vocals); ? (guitar); James Mainwaring (alto sax); Ellen (vocals)

August, students away sunning themselves/working a late shift somewhere, audience regulars opting for an evening in front of the box watching the Olympics, it was bound to be a quiet night down at the Black Swan. Doors at seven, it was quiet, it sure did look like being a quiet one. By the seven thirty down beat things were looking up. As the house trio - Steve Glendinning, Paul Grainger and Bailey Rudd - played a few numbers to warm up, the room began to fill up, not so much with the usual faces, rather more newcomers.

And no better way to kick-start the endless parade than with a contribution from Luis Verde. Body and Soul and Bye Bye Blackbird...Wow! Wow! Wow! Next, a newcomer, tenor saxophonist from up the Tyne Valley, Robert Johnson. A nervous, aborted All the Things You Are, then something a little more comfortable for our debutant, Sonny. Later in the evening, chatting to Robert, he said he would be back. We look forward to it. 

Kate O'Niell and Ian Drever were in the house. An impassioned Don't go to Strangers from Kate, It's the Good Life from Ian, more Mr. D than Mr. Tony Bennett. Dan Potter took a spell behind the traps, Jamie Watkins arrived (MC P. Grainger could go to the bar - hurray!) and Adam Sams played some guitar. 

It had been a long time since we heard from Lachlan Fotheringham. Playing soprano sax (accompanying Miriam McCormick), this was great stuff. If only Lachlan's work commitments allowed him to get down to the Black Swan more frequently! Lisa sang, Becky sang, Remy sang, Shayo sang Puttin' on the Ritz, Theo Nolan played drums, they were queueing up. 

And then, who's this? A familiar-looking face played some scorching alto sax. Who is this guy? At the end of the evening, chatting to our alto saxophonist, the penny dropped. Looking a few years older (it had been a few years!), wearing spectacles, two kids later, say 'Hello' to James Mainwaring! That's the thing about the Black Swan jam session, you never know who might drop by. Looking forward, next month sees the return of the students with the prospect of some  seriously talented freshers checking out the scene. The Black Swan, first and third Tuesdays in the month, it's the only place to be! Russell