The summer into autumn Black Swan jam session - Sept. 3

© Patti

Dean Stockdale (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums) + Luis Verde (alto sax); Lara Hopper (trumpet); Shivan Ruddick (trumpet); Liam Oliver (guitar); Owen Jones (double bass); Joe ? (drums); Vlada ? (alto sax); Kate O'Niell (vocals); Oscar Nolan (vocals, piano); Theo Nolan (vocals); Robert Johnson (tenor sax); Paul Ruddick (alto sax); Jack Littlewood (drums); Edgar Bell (trumpet); Alec Gamble (guitar); Kath Butcher (vocals); Remi Coulthard Boardman (vocals); Becky Tuck (vocals); Neil Hopper (valve trombone)

It's another couple of weeks or so until the students return enmasse. In the meantime, there was no shortage of the willing (largely non-undergraduate participants, at least two of them not yet out of school) eager to show what they could do. Supported by an ace house trio and a Black Swan jam session audience of supportive regulars (all occupying their usual seats) the evening got underway with Frank Loesser's I've Never Been in Love Before. 

From here on in, there was a non-stop stream of the willing. There's the willing, the willing and able and, quite simply, the brilliant. Alto saxophonist Luis Verde is in the latter category and his take on In a Sentimental Mood silenced the room. Bar staff at the far end of the room joined in the applause, that's how good Señor Verde was and is. Trumpeters Lara Hopper and Shivan Ruddick, with a combined age of around thirty (!), once again demonstrated they are the coming generation. Alto saxophonist Vlada (a 'twenteen') impressed once again. It looks as though we have a new jam session 'regular' in our midst. Be sure to check out Vlada.

The Nolans - Oscar and Theo - sang Stevie Wonder, Oscar later playing piano (house pianist Dean Stockdale making a beeline for the bar), the Tyne Valley's tenor saxophonist Robert Johnson returned to the Black Swan to play Dat Dere, later joined by the Ruddicks (Shivan and father Paul, alto sax) to blow on Moanin' . Newcastle University music student Jack Littlewood made his jam session debut - excellent! We'll be seeing and hearing more from Jack, that's for sure. 

Luis the Great returned to the stage, blowing alongside fellow alto saxophonist, Paul Ruddick. Drummer Jack hung around, trumpeter Edgar Bell couldn't resist, Luis leading the way on How Deep is the Ocean? As is their wont, Becky and Remi (that's Ms Tuck and Mr Coulthard Boardman) came late to the party to sing Have You Met Miss Jones?. Tyneside's swing dancers were massing (to play not dance) for the grand finale, including Messrs. Alec Gamble and Owen Jones, and, playing valve trombone, the House of the Black Gardenia's Neil Hopper. It had been another good session, more in a fortnight (Tuesday 17), 7:30pm sharp. Russell