Seonaid Aitken (violin, vocals); Conor Smith (guitar); Tam Gallagher (guitar, vocals); Jimmy Moon (double bass)
The Globe welcomed Seonaid Aitken and her Rose Room bandmates to play two sets of Hot Club-inspired numbers. Rose Room features the violin and vocals of Aitken (last heard by BSH at Georgia Cécile's November 2021 Queen's Hall, Edinburgh album launch concert) and the guitar of Conor Smith.
Aitken is a match for most, if not all, of the many jazz violinists currently plying their trade. Superb musicianship is one thing, add vocals and an infectious enthusiasm for what she (Aitken) does makes a Rose Room gig a cast iron winner. Across the course of two sets Conor Smith demonstrated beyond a shadow of a doubt that the young Djangologist is capable of holding his own in fast company. On this Newcastle date, as rhythm guitarist Tam Gallagher and bassist Jimmy Moon provided the rhythmic foundation, Smith took all of the guitar solos and every one of them was a gem.
From Oh! Lady Be Good to Dark Eyes, the musical legacy of Stéphane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt was at the heart of what the Glasgow based outfit brought to the table. Feasting on I Saw Stars, Limehouse Blues, Troublant Bolero and more, the receptive audience demanded more. Dark Eyes would sate the appetite.
The Globe on a Thursday night attracted a healthy crowd, many of them unfamiliar faces, all to the good. Hopefully some of the newbies will turn out on Sunday evenings (the Railway Street venue's regular jazz night). Russell
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