John Rowland (tenor sax); Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass)
The third in a new 'second Friday in the month' session on St George's Terrace in Jesmond. This afternoon's concert featured tenor saxophonist John Rowland playing a selection of numbers associated with the great Ben Webster. On a beautiful sunny afternoon, Rowland, pianist Alan Law and bassist Paul Grainger opened with Bye Bye Blackbird.
John Rowland could be described as 'laid back', perhaps a useful attribute when paying homage to Benjamin Francis Webster. Rowland's breathy sound could be described as 'old school', eschewing grandstanding, putting his own spin on the tune at hand. Jesmond Library's audience listened (feet tapping, heads nodding), one sensed the trio appreciated a 'listening audience'.
In a Mellotone (a foot-tapper), Don't Get Around Much Anymore (a tune everyone knows), Rowland's introductions were brief and to the point, our tenor saxophonist perhaps preferring to play rather than talk. Pianist Alan Law has his own signature sound, so much so, those familiar with his style would be most unlikely to fail a blindfold test. Great playing, as always. And the man with the bull fiddle, Paul Grainger, did everything required of him, as we have come to expect.
This Jesmond Library session (second Friday in the month, 1:00-2:00pm) is bedding in nicely, it's a welcome addition to Tyneside's thriving jazz scene. Russell
Set list: Bye Bye Blackbird; You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To; I Got it Bad (and That Ain't Good); In a Mellotone; This Can't be Love; Blue and Sentimental; Don't Get Around Much Anymore; In a Sentimental Mood; Cottontail
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