The Black Swan's Traffic Jam jam session - Dec. 3

Dean Stockdale (piano); Joe Steels (guitar); Paul Grainger (double bass); John Hirst (drums) + Luis Verde (alto sax); Harry Keeble (tenor sax); Kate O'Neill (vocals), David Gray (trombone); Abbie Finn (drums); Shivan Ruddick (trumpet); John Rowland (tenor sax); Paul Gowland (alto sax); Shayo (vocals); Esther Coombes (alto sax, clarinet); Liam Oliver (guitar); Bailey Rudd (drums); Paul Ruddick (alto sax); Ian Drever (vocals); Theo Nolan (vocals) 

A four-vehicle accident necessitating the closure of the Redheugh Bridge and ongoing renovation works on the Tyne Bridge (access currently restricted to one lane in either direction) wreaked havoc either side of the Tyne. The Black Swan jam session didn't escape the chaotic situation: MC Paul Grainger's journey took twice as long as usual and house pianist Dean Stockdale, travelling north from County Durham, found himself in a long tailback of traffic. At one point it looked as though we were in for a John Hirst drum masterclass...

Fortunately, minutes past the seven thirty down beat, Messrs Grainger and Stockdale arrived and in no time the house quartet - yes, quartet, in the event of pianist Stockdale's temporary absence, Joe Steels was on hand to supply all the chords - made up for lost time with a sparkling take on It Could Happen to You. Two or three numbers in, the thought occurred that it would be great if the Black Swan's budget could stretch to accommodating a house quartet. If only!

One or more of the region's big hitters were in the house. Two of them - Luis Verde and Harry Keeble - were the first to be pressed into action. Alto sax and tenor sax respectively, these guys are the business! Yes or No. Wow! Wayne Shorter's composition was given a thorough workout, we were listening to two killing saxophonists in full flight.

Vocalist Kate O'Neill, accompanied by a restrained David Gray (trombone), singing Honeysuckle Rose and The Very Thought of You went down well with the on-side audience. John Rowland (tenor sax) and Paul Gowland (alto sax) chose to play There is No Greater Love, with altoist Gowland taking a look at Darn That Dream. The full house (many new faces) liked what it was hearing. 

The sitters-in came thick and fast: the brilliant Abbie Finn (drums), young trumpeter Shivan Ruddick giving it his best shot on one or two seemingly unfamiliar charts, Esther Coombes alternating between alto sax and clarinet, Liam Oliver sporting his new Telecaster, Bailey Rudd taking a spell behind the traps, Shayo singing Corcovado, Paul Ruddick blowing some excellent alto, it had been a good night here at the Black Swan. The next one (the last one of the year) is set for Tuesday 17 December. 7:30pm start, free admission, don't forget your Santa hat. Russell