Sue Ferris Quintet @ Opus 4 Jazz Club - Dec. 6

Sue Ferris (tenor sax, clarinet); Graham Hardy (trumpet, flugelhorn); Ben Lawrence (keyboards); Andy Champion (double bass); John Bradford (drums)

Storm Darragh threatened to do its worst, blowing a hoolie over on the west side of the British Isles. Those of us on the east coast were ready to batten down the hatches but not before attending an eagerly-anticipated concert on West Auckland Road in Darlington. Four fifths of the quintet arrived on West Auckland Road from various points across County Durham and Tyneside, the fifth member of the band - pianist Ben Lawrence - travelled from windswept Cumbria. That's dedication for you!  

The Traveller's Rest duly attracted the usual faces, taking their usual seats, they were there to listen to a long-time friend of Opus 4 Jazz Club, Sue Ferris. That Shoe String Thing is the Sue Ferris Quintet's debut album. Saxophonist Sue has been gigging here and there, promoting the 'product', albeit in lowkey fashion. Horace Silver is a touchstone, modern jazz standards are ever-present in the set list and Sue's current quintet is up there with the best of them. The Jody Grind got things underway, solos all round (this would be the format for the evening), the ensemble given a rousing welcome.

Sue name-checked London-exiled local hero Paul Edis. Pianist Paul's McCoin a Phrase has become a favourite of both the SF5 and audience - top stuff! Pianist Ben, one time student of the aforementioned P. Edis, is fast-emerging as an accomplished composer. Written a couple of days ago, Beurrage put his bandmates to the test: a pre-concert run through, sight-reading on the gig, B. Lawrence is one to keep an eye on.

The front line two - Sue (tenor sax) and Graham Hardy (trumpet, flugelhorn) - have been locking musical horns for many a year. Their razor-sharp 'modern jazz' jousts never fail to impress, this evening no exception. The rhythm section - Ben (piano), Andy Champion (double bass) and drummer John Bradford - is a match for any in these here parts. As a quintet, the SF5 is a match for most - here, there or anywhere. Pent-Up House (S. Rollins), Sandu (C. Brown), Nica's Dream (H. Silver) and the late, great Roy Hargrove's Soppin' the Biscuit, were exactly what the Opus 4 crowd wanted to hear. A grand night, here's to the next Sue Ferris Quintet concert!  

         

Set list: The Jody Grind; McCoin a Phrase; Beurrage*; Pent-Up House; Sandu; Nica's Dream; Chiquita**; One Hand, One Heart; Soppin' the Biscuit.

* a new Ben Lawrence composition. 

** an older Ben Lawrence composition, its title changes from one gig to the next, this evening its title was Chiquita. Russell