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| © Sheila Herrick |
In their own sweet way, to misquote the title of a Brubeck tune that wasn't played by the trio last night, this was as enjoyable as many an over-hyped gig played here, there and everywhere in recent years.
You can count the number of north east based jazz pianists who can (maybe) outswing Alan Law on the finger of one hand however, as that musician has now retired from public performing...
Is there a bass player who can can sing better than Jude? Is there a singer who can play bass better than Jude?
Add a driving, sympathetic drummer and the stage is set for - who knows?
I'm not sure what inspired the band name - Leeway - perhaps it refers to the relaxed approach, the freedom to go where the music takes them.
Four: The Miles Davis classic has been played and recorded by every musician and their second cousin. This particular rendition told the world, or at least that small percentage of the population present, what a master of light and shade Alan Law is. Building near silences into thunderous explosions to great effect.
There is no Greater Love: A great tune and a staple part of Alan's repertoire. I've mentioned previous performances of the Isham Jones song on BSH which was acknowledged proving that musicians do read this blog!
On a Clear Day: Jude's first vocal that, after a somewhat shaky first chorus, blew the room apart with a sensational scat vocal whilst playing bass at the same time. How did she do both? Well she's a woman, w-o-m-a-n as Peggy Lee once sang.
It Could Happen to You and Poinciana followed, the latter inspired by Ahmad Jamal's hit recording from way back.
Jude returned to the vocal mic for another chart topper. A bit closer to home this time: Roxanne, made famous by Sting when he was one third of the Police. The jury's still out but the potential is there and Jude has the right voice for it - keep it in the set.
Intermission and it was encouraging to see so many familiar faces.
Blue Bossa: More samba than bossa with Tim driving the bus like as though he was Rio born and bred.
Autumn Leaves à la Keith Jarrett - or was it inspired by the last words of Cody Jarrett (James Cagney) in the film White Heat? "Top of the world ma"? It certainly was top of my jazz world.
This most enjoyable evening drew to a close with: I Thought About You; Beautiful Love and Jude singing Love For Sale. Love For Sale? Roxanne? Was there a theme for the evening? Lance
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