 |
| © Malcolm Sinclair |
Dean Stockdale (piano); Tim Williams (guitar); Gavin Barras (double bass); Gaz Hughes (drums)
The name Dean Stockdale is sufficient to ensure a sellout, as is the name Oscar Peterson. In the centenary year of the birth of the legendary Canadian pianist (15 August 1925), Darlington based Stockdale is touring his 'Celebrating Oscar' set. And here at Durham's Gala Theatre, sure enough, all seats were occupied.
In recent times, Stockdale has appeared at venues up and down the land and further afield, including Belfast, Dublin, Paris and Brussels*. Here in Durham the Dean Stockdale Quartet opened with OP's Blues Etude. All four musicians are entirely comfortable with the material and the arrangements.
Precision playing without sacrificing the vital component of swing, the unison lines between Stockdale and guitarist Tim Williams were a joy to hear. Gavin Barras' melodicism is a precious commodity, perhaps the bassist should bottle it - and sell it! Drummer Gaz Hughes, playing the first of two engagements in the region today (later in the day Hughes' quartet would be headlining at Opus 4 Jazz Club in Darlington), demonstrated that he is completely au fait with the charts and his innate sense of swing teased reassuring smiles from his bandmates.
 |
| © Malcolm Sinclair |
Set list: Blues Etude; Falling in Love with Love; Bossa Beguine; Noreen's Nocturne; Tonight; Wheatland; Hymn to Freedom; Night Train.
* The Dean Stockdale Quartet will be at Queen's Hall Hexham, Saturday 24 May (7:00pm) in the first of a double bill launching this year's Northumberland Jazz Festival: www.queenshall.co.uk. Russell
No comments :
Post a Comment