Alan Barnes (alto sax, baritone sax, clarinet); Alan Law (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums)
The second of Alan Barnes' three 'up north' gigs attracted a disappointingly small crowd to Darlington's Opus 4 Jazz Club. A lack of publicity for the concert no doubt contributed to the poor turn out. The Traveller's Rest on West Auckland Road is a key jazz venue in Darlington which deserves better.
To the concert...as in Bishop Auckland earlier in the day, Alan Barnes would play two sets in the company of bassist Mick Shoulder's trio featuring pianist Alan Law and drummer Tim Johnston. Kenny Barron's Voyage set the standard, the tempo just right, we were all ears for what was to follow. What followed was amazing alto sax playing from Barnes, launching into Bird's Steeplechase, seamlessly segueing into Sonny Stitt's The Eternal Triangle. If that had been it, we would have gone home happy.
Barnes' clarinet opened the second set, Jobim's A Felicidade the selection. In a Sentimental Mood, our guest star sticking to the licorice stick, quoting My Favorite Things along the way. Clarinet, alto or baritone sax, Mr B is the master musician. Some Art Pepper? Miss Who? Fabulous alto sax playing, then, switching to baritone, an uptempo A Train. Marvellous. Mellow Billy Strayhorn to finish, the faithful few, their spirits lifted, then departed into the night. Russell
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