Alan Law (keyboards); Paul Grainger (double bass); John Hirst (drums) + Harry Keeble (tenor sax); Kate O'Niell (vocals); John Rowland (tenor sax); Ruth Lambert (vocals); Sam Toulson (alto sax); David Gray (trombone); Edgar Ho (keyboards); Oscar Ho (double bass); Abbie Finn (drums); Liam Oliver (guitar); Leah Kirk (vocals); Robert Johnson (alto sax); Lara Hopper (trumpet); Shivan Ruddick (trumpet); Paul Ruddick (alto sax); Ian Drever (vocals); Moyo (guitar); Jay Straughan (drums); Jamie Watkins (double bass); Darius (vocals); Harriett (vocals)
Jazz is dead. Jazz isn't what it used to be. Oh, yeah? Those present at tonight's Black Swan jam session would beg to differ. Oh! Lady Be Good for starters, the house trio would play a blinder all night. Pianist Alan Law is the man for any jam session, a great player and endlessly encouraging to those sitting in. And then there's Paul Grainger, house bassist and the ideal jam session MC. And drummer John Hirst is as good as they come.
As for the sitters-in, some of the Black Swan regulars were there, they got up and did their thing. Harry Keeble and Abbie Finn alone would be worth the admission money. Well, okay, it's free admission but, you know...And then there was Lara Hopper. A fine trumpeter, just imagine how good she will become once she finds her feet at Trinity Laban in the autumn. And then there was Robert Johnson. Our young, impressive alto saxophonist has yet to sell his soul. We'll be hearing more from Mr. Johnson, you can bet on it.
Look who's dropped by. Sam Toulson, no less. A music degree in his back pocket, Sam is currently studying medicine at Newcastle University. Does he have time to play his alto sax? On the evidence of tonight's jam, one would think he'd just finished an eight hour stint in the woodshed. Fabulous! What's more, Sam brought along two of his regular bandmates - Edgar and Oscar Ho, that's pianist Edgar and brother Oscar, playing double bass. What a treat to listen to these marvellous, young musicians.
Ruth Lambert was in the house. Say no more, we were treated to a masterclass in jazz singing. And...Ms. Lambert persuaded one of her first year vocal students to come along. Up stepped Leah Kirk. Nervous? Possibly. Leah sang A Day in the Life of a Fool. Wow! Wow! The common denominator this evening? A procession of seriously good, talented young musicians. Don't you just love a jam session?! Russell
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