The Clare Teal Five @ Gala Theatre, Durham - Oct. 25

© Patti

Clare Teal (vocals); Jason Rebello (piano); Dave Archer (guitar); Simon Little (bass, vocals); Eric Ford (drums)

A Clare Teal gig is always something special. A guaranteed evening of fun, jazz singing of the highest standard, an A-list band and an ever-changing repertoire. Last night was no exception with all the boxes ticked and, of course, that essential ingredient to any jazz gig - the sound of surprise.

We got that last one in abundance.

The material, whilst still containing the bricks and mortar of those Gasbook classics that we love and cherish, has been updated to include a few of the better pop and rock songs albeit in a jazzy/bluesy vein - shades of Postmodern Jukebox.

The feature, Trailblazers was a good addition with its tribute to Annie Ross on Wardell Gray's Twisted and to Peggy Lee with A Good Day. When Clare mentioned Peggy Lee I cringed and thought 'not another version of Fever or Black Coffee!' Fortunately I was wrong and A Good Day made for a very good day indeed.

One artist who was an equally big 'trailblazer' was Joe Mooney and I was delighted when she sang A Man With a Million Dollars. Joe Mooney - the greatest bop singer of them all. Thank you Clare.

As well as Clare, we also had a band that came across as a force to reckon with in their own right. Rebello, last seen at Hoochie in 2014, the man to go to if you're a vocalist, an instrumentalist or just want to sing in Portuguese as Clare did on Wave. He's 'the biz', and so is Dave Archer, last seen at the Lit & Phil with Joe Webb in 2021, he slotted in perfectly even changing a string without missing a beat (lie - it was a whole song). 

Simon Little not only played beautifully but also duetted vocally with Clare on The Road Less Travelled, he also did some backing vocals. I think Simon has been on every Clare Teal gig that I've ever seen so he's obviously doing something right. I'm also on his mailing list.

Eric Ford is no stranger to the north east. I've heard him with various permutations of bands by the brothers Eagles. Top notch.

So, a good evening was had by all, either side of the footlights. A quick chat with Clare during the interval and a chance pass on regards from Liz, the number one fan of Clare and BSH. Lance

Summer Breeze; Tears in my eyes; A Man With a Million Dollars; The Song is You; Twisted; Chasing Cars; Tainted Love; Brazil; The Road Less Travelled; Messin' With Fire; It's a Good Day; Quiet Nights; It's Raining; Wave; It Don't Mean a Thing (if it Ain't Got That Swing); When You're Smiling; ?.