The Tannery jam session – Dec. 11

Joe Steels (guitar); Paul Susans (electric bass); John Hirst (drums) + Jon Weaver (trumpet); Bailey Rudd (drums); Chris ? (guitar); Phil ? (keyboard)

My first time at this session in Hexham and what a delight to have on my doorstep.  Hexham is famously the third happiest place in the UK (DETAILS) and the Tannery must surely be a contribution to keeping it there! BSH roving scribe Russell has enthusiastically reported a few times since the jam started in May, but this was my first visit due to circumstances and travels.

Last night’s programme ambled through familiar territory - It Could Happen to You, Blackbird, Ladybird, Autumn Leaves with Black Narcissus (I think!) and Song for my Father to show there is jazz after 1960. 

The house band got the ball rolling with inspirational  playing and sublime solos as you’d expect, with Bailey taking over the kit at half time to great effect. But the revelation to me was the local sitters in (Jon, Phil, Chris): despite their self confessed nerves and experience gap relative to the band, they had a ball!  The jam has given them and other local jazzers an impetus to get together and practice, with a great monthly performance opportunity which they are grabbing with both hands. The smiles, while playing and even more so afterwards, told the story -  none more so than after the closer (Cold Duck Time of course). 

The house trio of Joe Steels, Paul Susans and John Hirst is a quite remarkable jazz asset to a small provincial town (or any town/city!).  You might think such a deluxe band (which makes any front line player sound great - within reason) would be intimidating to mere mortals, but in fact you couldn’t ask for a more welcoming, helpful and encouraging crew to play with.  Joe, Paul and John are not just leading by example playing at the Tannery and elsewhere,  they are also increasingly successful in organising and promoting jazz in Hexham through Hexham/Northumberland Jazz Festival, the Queen’s Hall Sunday series, summer bandstand concerts, TVYBB, and of course lessons and more at Core Music. 

As has been written before, the Tannery jam has room for more sitters-in. While the (excellent) Black Swan session is so over-subscribed, surely the Tannery could profit?  Hexham really isn’t that far to drive from “The Toon”, parking is easier than for the Black Swan, and there is a very convenient train service (now even with onboard loos!).  Players would be guaranteed a warm welcome, plenty of opportunity to play and an appreciative audience.  Next session is on the second Wednesday in January (Jan. 8  from 7:00pm till whenever). Chris K