Hopper-Watson Quintet @ the Central Bar, Gateshead - July 9

© Patti

Lara Hopper (trumpet); Lewis Watson (tenor sax); Mark Williams (guitar); Andy Champion (bass); John Bradford (drums)

The upstairs room of the Central Bar had pulled a good crowd for a unique event - one which promised much and didn't renegue on that promise.

Lewis Watson has, over the years, become recognised as one of the, if not the, most impressive tenor players around. Since his recent reemergence he has formed a relationship with Messrs Williams, Champion and Bradford - themselves recognised as big hitters - that gelled from the get go.

However, last night there was a relatively unknown factor added to the equation in the form of teenage trumpet player Lara Hopper. Lara is known for holding her own at jam sessions, rehearsal bands and maybe some low key sessions elsewhere but here she was thrown in at the deep end with four of the very finest.

© Patti

Understandably, she played safe until she got the feel of things. Realising no one was going to throw rotten tomatoes and possibly encouraged by the crowd's enthusiastic response, her inhibitions fell away and, whilst keeping within her comfort zone (think Chet or an unmuted early Miles), the ideas flowed with a fluency that belied her tender years.

Meanwhile Lewis, Lara's jazz guru, relaxed confident his charge could handle any chordal pitfalls ahead and upped his own game which, when he's in full flight, is the only game in town.

Likewise Mark, Andy and John gave it everything as well as providing  the launchpad for the solos, including their own.

If someone played this in a blindfold test I'd be thinking Blue Note.

Sandu by Clifford Brown got things going followed by Tom Harrell's Moon Alley.

An interesting version of Willow Weep for Me over an All Blues riff found its inspiration in a Phil Woods/Jaki Byard version of Ann Ronell's tune which was rumoured to be a gift from George Gershwin.

Lara was featured on Chelsea Bridge. The girl did it more justice than Strayhorn did - the composer named it after the wrong bridge. Still, a bridge by any other name ...

The set ended with more Clifford Brown - Joy Spring.

There was a buzz around the room. Always good to witness emerging talent.

Wayne Shorter's Witch Hunt opened the second set. Lewis in top gear, Lara becoming more adventurous and Mark reminding us that he too is kicking ass.

Joe Henderson's Recorda Me kept the Blue Note flag flying. Lara cooled things with I Fall in Love Too Easily. Andy the perfect foil on bass and the audience found that they too were falling in love very easily!

John Bradford took his first extended solo to bring in Trane's The Promise. Solos, some free moments - it couldn't get any better than this could it? 

It could! Denzil Best's Wee (Allen's Alley) was pretty damn close to perfection as the two horns read the intricate head before having a blast.

A night to remember as will Lara who paid an emotional tribute to Lewis that took him to the verge of tears. Come September she heads down to Trinity Laban. We wish her well. Lance